




















/ 


































LAUNCELOT AND GUENEVER. 




STORIES- OF 
KING -ARTHUR 
U HIS KNIGHTS 



THOMAS -Y- CROWELL CO- 
PUBLISHERS ^-NEW^yORK 



3 7 /a y 


UB9AIIV of OOWeRESS 
Two forties S«»tv*tl 

OCT 1 1904 

towlsrtoEftfrv 
&<vU. *, /qotf- 
OU4S3 <V *Xo. No. 

*77 <7 6 2 - 

COPY B 



Copyright, 1904, 

By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & COMPANY 


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Contents 


CHAP. 

Introduction ..... 

PAGE 

vii 

I. 

Of the Birth of King Arthur 

i 

II. 

Uther’s Son, rightwise King of all 



England ..... 

4 

III. 

How Arthur gat his Sword Excalibur . 

1 1 

IV. 

Balin and Balan ..... 

16 

V. 

The Noble Order of the Round Table . 

27 

VI. 

The Ladies’ Knight .... 

33 

VII. 

Wise Merlin’s Foolishness . 

38 

VIII. 

A Stag-Hunt and What Came of It 

42 

IX. 

The Treachery of Morgan le Fay . 

52 

X. 

Sir Launcelot of the Lake 

58 

XI. 

A Night-Time Adventure of Sir 



Launcelot ..... 

62 

XII. 

How Sir Launcelot Came into the 



Chapel Perilous .... 

69 

XIII. 

The Knight, the Lady, and the Falcon . 

74 

XIV. 

How a Kitchen-Page Came to Honor . 

78 

XV. 

How Sir Gareth Fought for the Lady of 



Castle Perilous .... 

87 

XVI. 

How Sir Gareth Returned to the Court 



of King Arthur .... 

109 


iii 


iv 

Contents 


CHAP. 


PAGE 

XVII. 

How Young Tristram Saved the Life 



of the Queen of Lyonesse 

1 16 

XVIII. 

Sir Tristram’s First Battle . 

I 2 I 

XIX. 

Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud . 

128 

XX. 

How Sir Tristram Demanded the Fair 
Isoud for King Mark, and How Sir 
Tristram and Isoud Drank the Love 



Potion ..... 

133 

XXI. 

How Sir Tristram Departed from 



Tintagil, and was Long in the Forest. 

139 

XXII. 

How King Mark was Sorry for the 



Good Renown of Sir Tristram 

I46 

XXIII. 

How Sir Percivale of Galis Sought and 



Found Sir Launcelot 

156 

XXIV. 

Of the Coming of Sir Galahad . 

1 67 

XXV. 

How the Quest of the Holy Grail was 



Begun ..... 

I 74 

XXVI. 

How Galahad Gat Him a Shield 

179 

XXVII. 

Sir Galahad at the Castle of Maidens . 

184 

XXVIII. 

Sir Launcelot’s Repentance 

194 

XXIX. 

Sir Perci vale’s Temptation 

204 

XXX. 

The Victory of Sir Bors Over Himself. 

21 5 

XXXI. 

How Sir Launcelot Found the Holy 



Grail ...... 

226 

XXXII. 

The End of the Quest 

2 33 

XXXIII. 

Sir Launcelot and the Fair Maid of 



Astolat ..... 

242 


Contents 


v 


XXXIV. 

XXXV. 

XXXVI. 

XXXVII. 

XXXVIII. 

XXXIX. 

XL. 

XLI. 

XLII. 


Of the Great Tournament on Can- 
dlemas Day . . . . 

Queen Guenever’s May-day Ride 
and what Came of it . 

Of the Plot Against Sir Launcelot . 
How Sir Launcelot Departed from the 
King and from Joyous Gard 
How King Arthur and Sir Gawaine 
Invaded Sir Launcelot’s Realm . 
Of Sir Mordred’s Treason 
Of Arthur’s Last Great Battle in the 

West 

Of the Passing of King Arthur 
Of the End of this Book 


PAGE 

255 

264 

274 

280 

290 

298 

306 
310 
3 1 7 



















Introduction 


A MONG the best liked stories of five or 
six hundred years ago were those which 
told of chivalrous deeds — of joust and 
tourney and knightly adventure. To be sure, 
these stories were not set forth in printed books, 
for there were no printed books as early as the 
times of the first three King Edwards, and few 
people could have read them if there had been any. 
But children and grown people alike were eager 
to hear these old-time tales read or recited by the 
minstrels, and the interest in them has continued 
in some measure through all the changing years 
and tastes. We now, in the times of the seventh 
King Edward, still find them far more worth our 
while than many modern stories. For us English 
speaking people they have a special interest, be- 
cause of home setting and Christian basis, and 
they may well share in our attention with the 
legends of Greece and Rome. 

In these early romances of chivalry, Arthur and 
vii 


Introduction 


viii 

his knights of the Round Table are by far the 
most popular heroes, and the finding of the Holy 
Grail is the highest achievement of knightly 
valor. The material for the Arthur stories came 
from many countries and from many different 
periods of history. Much of it is wholly fanciful, 
but the writers connected all the incidents 
directly or indirectly with the old Britain king of 
the fifth century, who was the model of knight- 
hood, “ without fear and without reproach.” 

Perhaps there was a real King Arthur, who 
led the Britains against the Saxon invaders of 
their land, who was killed by his traitor nephew, 
and who was buried at Glastonbury, — the valley 
of Avilion of the legends ; perhaps there was a 
slight historical nucleus around which all the ro- 
mantic material was crystallizing through the cen- 
turies, but the Arthur of romance came largely 
from the imagination of the early writers. 

And yet, though our “ own ideal knight ” may 
never have trod the soil of Britain or Roman or 
Saxon England, his chivalrous character and the 
knightly deeds of his followers are real to us, if 
we read them rightly, for “ the poet’s ideal was 
the truest truth.” Though the sacred vessel — 
the Holy Grail — of the Christ’s last supper with his 
disciples has not been borne about the earth in 


Introduction 


IX 


material form, to be seen only by those of stain- 
less life and character, it is eternally true that the 
“ pure in heart” are “ blessed,” “ for they shall 
see God.” This is what the Quest of the Holy 
Grail means, and there is still many a true Sir 
Galahad, who can say, as he did, 

" My strength is as the strength of ten, 

Because my heart is pure,” 

and who attains the highest glory of knighthood, 
as before his clear vision 

“ down dark tides the glory glides, 

And starlike mingles with the stars.” 

We call these beautiful stories of long ago 
Stories of Chivalry, for, in the Middle Ages, 
chivalry influenced all that people did and said 
and thought. It began back in the times of 
Charlemagne, a hundred years before our own 
King Alfred, and only very gradually it made its 
way through all the social order. Emperor 
Charlemagne was really a very great man, and 
because he was so, he left all Western Europe a 
far better place to live in than he found it. Into 
the social life of his time he brought something 
like order and justice and peace, and so he 
greatly helped the Christian Church to do its 


X 


Introduction 


work of teaching the rough and warlike Franks 
and Saxons and Normans the gentle ways of thrift 
and helpfulness. 

Charlemagne’s “ heerban,” or call to arms, re- 
quired that certain of his men should attend him 
on horseback, and this mounted service was 
really the beginning of what is known as chiv- 
alry. The lesser nobles of each feudal chief 
served their overlords on horseback, a cheval, 
in times of war ; they were called knights , which 
originally meant servants, — German knechte ; and 
the system of knighthood, its rules, customs, and 
duties, was called chivalry, — French chevalerie. 

Chivalry belongs chiefly to the twelfth, thir- 
teenth, and fourteenth centuries, — to about the 
time between King Richard of the Lion Heart and 
Prince Hal. There is no trace of ideas peculiar 
to it in the writings of the old Anglo-Saxons or in 
the Nibelungen Lied of Germany. Geoffrey of 
Monmouth, who died, it is said, in the year 1 1 54, 
is about the earliest writer who mentions customs 
that belong especially to chivalry. The Crusades, 
of Geoffrey’s century and of the one following, 
gave much opportunity for its growth and prac- 
tice ; but in the fifteenth century chivalrous fash- 
ions and fancies began to seem absurd, and 
later, perhaps partly through the ridicule of that 


Introduction 


xi 


old-time book “ Don Quixote,” chivalry was 
finally laughed quite out of existence. 

The order of knighthood was given only after 
years of training and discipline. From his 
seventh year to his fourteenth the nobleman’s son 
was a page at the court or in the castle of his 
patron, learning the principles of religion, 
obedience, and gallantry. At fourteen, as a 
squire , the boy began a severer course of training, 
in order to become skilled in horsemanship, and 
to gain strength and courage, as well as the re- 
finements and graces necessary in the company 
of knights and ladies. 

Finally, at twenty-one, his training was com- 
plete, and with elaborate and solemn formality 
the squire was made a knight. Then, after a 
strict oath to be loyal, courteous, and brave, the 
armor was buckled on, and the proud young 
chevalier rode out into the world, strong for good 
or ill in limb, strong in impenetrable armor, 
strong in a social custom that lifted him above 
the common people about him. 

When rightly exercised chivalry was a great 
blessing to the people of its time. It offered high 
ideals of pure-minded, warm-hearted, courtly, 
courageous Christian manhood. It did much to 
arouse thought, to quicken sympathy, to purify 


xii Introduction 

morals, to make men truly brave and loyal. Of 
course this ideal of character was not in the days 
of chivalry — ideals are not often now — very 
fully realized. The Mediaeval, like the Modern, 
abused his power of muscle, of sword, of rank. 
His liberty as a knight-errant sometimes de- 
scended into the license of a highwayman ; his 
pride in the opportunity for helpfulness grew to 
be the braggadocio of a bully; his freedom of 
personal choice became the insolence of lawless- 
ness ; his pretended purity and justice proved 
wanton selfishness. 

Because of these abuses that crept into the 
system, it is well for the world that gunpowder 
at last came, to break through the knight’s coat 
of mail, to teach the nobility respect for common 
men, roughly to end this age of so much super- 
ficial politeness and savage bravery, and to bring 
in a more democratic social order. 

The books of any age are for us a record of 
how the people of that age thought, how they lived, 
and what kind of men and women they tried to 
be. The old romances of chivalry give us clear 
pictures of the knights and ladies of the Middle 
Ages, and we shall lose the delight and the profit 
they may give us, if we think only of the defects 
of chivalry, and close our eyes to the really 


Introduction 


xiii 

worthy motives of those far-off times, and so miss 
seeing what chivalry was able to do, while it 
lasted, to make men and women better and 
happier. 

Before reading the Arthur stories themselves 
it is well to know something about the way they 
have been built up, as one writer after another 
has taken the material left by predecessors, and 
has worked into it fresh conceptions of things 
brave and true. First there was the old Latin 
chronicle of Nennius, the earliest trace of 
Arthurian fact or fancy, with a single paragraph 
given to Arthur and his twelve great battles. 
This chronicle itself may have been based on yet 
earlier Welsh stories, which had been passed on, 
perhaps for centuries, by oral tradition from 
father to son, and gradually woven together into 
some legendary history of Oldest England in the 
local language of Brittany, across the English 
Channel. This original book is referred to by 
later writers, but was long ago lost. Geoffrey of 
Monmouth says it was the source of his material 
for his “ Historia Britonum.” Geoffrey's history, 
in Latin prose, written some time about the mid- 
dle of the twelfth century, remains as the earliest 
definite record of the legends connected with 
King Arthur. 


XIV 


Introduction 


Only a little later Geoffrey’s Latin history was 
translated by Wace and others into Norman 
French, and here the Arthur material first ap- 
peared in verse form. Then, still later in the 
twelfth century, Walter Map worked the same 
stories over into French prose, and at the same 
time put so much of his own knowledge and 
imagination with them, that we may almost say 
that he was the maker of the Arthur romances. 

Soon after the year twelve hundred, — a half- 
century after Geoffrey of Monmouth first set our 
English ancestors to thinking about the legend- 
ary old hero of the times of the Anglo- 
Saxon conquest, — Layamon, parish priest of 
Ernly, in Worcestershire, gave to the English 
language (as distinct from the earlier Anglo- 
Saxon) his poem “ Brut.” This was a translation 
and enlargement of Wace’s old French poem 
having Arthur as hero. So these stories of King 
Arthur, of Welsh or Celtic origin, came through 
the Latin, and then through French verse and 
prose, into our own speech, and so began their 
career down the centuries, of our more modern 
history. 

After giving ideas to generation after genera- 
tion of romance writers of many countries and in 
many languages, these same romantic stories 


Introduction 


xv 


were, in the fifteenth century, skilfully brought 
together into one connected prose narrative, — 
one of the choicest of the older English classics, 
“ Le Morte Darthur,” by Sir Thomas Malory. 
Those were troublous times when Sir Thomas, 
perhaps after having himself fought and suffered 
in the Wars of the Roses then in progress, found 
some quiet spot in Warwickshire in which to put 
together in lasting form the fine old stories that 
already in his day were classics. 

Malory finished his book in 1470, and its per- 
manence for all time was assured fifteen years 
later, when Caxton, after the “ symple connynge ” 
that God had sent him (to use the quaint forms 
of expression then common), “ under the favour 
and correctyon of al noble lordes and gentylmen 
enprysed to emprynte a book of the noble hys- 
toryes of the sayd Kynge Arthur and of certeyn 
of his knyghtes after a copye unto him delyuerd 
whyche copye Syr Thomas Malorye dyd take 
oute of certeyn bookes of Frensche and reduced 
it in to Englysche.” . This hard-headed business 
man, — this fifteenth century publisher, — was 
rather doubtful about the Britain king of a thou- 
sand years before his day, and to those urging 
upon him the venture of printing Malory’s book 
he answered : “ Dyuers men holde oppynyon 


XVI 


Introduction 


that there was no suche Arthur and that alle 
suche bookes as been maad of hym ben fayned 
and fables by cause that somme cronycles make 
of him no mencyon ne remember him noo thynge 
ne of his knyghtes.” 

But the arguments of those in favor of the un- 
dertaking prevailed, greatly to the advantage of 
the four centuries that have followed, during which 
“ Le Morte Darthur ” has been a constant source 
of poetic inspiration. Generation after genera- 
tion of readers and of writers have drawn life from 
its chapters, and the new delight in Tennyson’s 
“ Idylls of the King,” almost of our own time, 
shows that the fountain has not yet been drained 
dry. 

Malory’s “ Morte Darthur ” is a long book, and 
its really great interest is partly hidden from us 
by forms of expression that belong only to the 
time when it was first written. Besides this, the 
ideas of what was right and proper in conduct 
and speech — moral standards — were far lower in 
Malory’s day than they are now. 

The purpose of this new little volume is to 
bring the old tales freshly to the attention of 
young people of the present time. It keeps, as 
far as may be, the exact language and the spirit 
of the original, chooses such stories as best rep- 


Introduction 


XVII 


resent the whole, and modifies these only in order 
to remove what could possibly hide the thought, 
or be so crude in taste and morals as to seem un- 
worthy of the really high-minded author of five 
hundred years ago. It aims also so to condense 
the book that, in this age of hurry, readers may 
not be repelled from the tales merely because of 
their length. 

Chivalry of just King Arthur’s kind was given 
up long ago, but that for which it stood — hu- 
man fellowship in noble purpose — is far older 
than the institution of knighthood or than even 
the traditions of the energetic, brave, true, help- 
ful King Arthur himself. It links us with all the 
past and all the future. The knights of the 
twentieth century do not set out in chain-armor 
to right the wrongs of the oppressed by force of 
arms, but the best influences of chivalry have 
been preserved for the quickening of a broader 
and a nobler world than was ever in the dreams 
of knight-errant of old. Modern heroes of the 
genuine type owe more than they know to 
those of Arthur’s court who swore 

« To reverence the King, as if he were 
Their conscience, and their conscience as their King, 

To break the heathen and uphold the Christ, 

To ride abroad redressing human wrongs, 


XVU1 


Introduction 


To speak no slander, no, nor listen to it. 

To honor his own word as if his God’s, 

To lead sweet lives in purest chastity, 

To love one maiden only, cleave to her, 

And worship her by years of noble deeds, 

Until they won her.” 

“ Antiquity produced heroes, but not gentle- 
men,” some one has said. In the days of Charle- 
magne and Alfred began the training which, con- 
tinued in the days of Chaucer and Sir Thomas 
Malory and many, many more, has given to this 
our age that highest type of manhood, the Christ- 
ian gentleman. 


Worcester, Mass., 
June , igo#. 


u. w. c. 


Stories of King Arthur 


CHAPTER I 

OF THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR 

I T befell in the days of Uther Pendragon^ 
when he was king of all England, that there 
was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held 
war against him a long time. And the duke 
was named the Duke pf Tintagil. Ten miles 
away from his castle, called Terrabil, there was, 
in the castle Tintagil, Igraine of Cornwall, that 
King Uther liked and loved well, for she was a 
good and fair lady, and passing wise. He made 
her great cheer out of measure, and desired to 
have her love in return ; but she would not as- 
sent unto him, and for pure anger and for great 
love of fair Igraine King Uther fell sick. 

At that time there lived a powerful magician 
named Merlin, who could appear in any place he 
chose, could change his looks as he liked, and at 
will could do wonderful things to help or to harm 


i 


2 


Stories of King Arthur 

knights and ladies. So to King Uther came Sir 
Ulfius, a noble knight, and said, “ I will seek 
Merlin, and he shall do you remedy so that your 
heart shall be pleased.” So Ulfius departed, and 
by adventure met Merlin in beggar’s array, and 
made him promise to be not long behind in 
riding to Uther’s pavilion. 

Soon Merlin stood by the king’s side and said : 
“ I know all your heart, and promise ye shall 
have your desire, if ye will be sworn to fulfill my 
wish.” This the king solemnly agreed to do, 
and then Merlin said : “ After ye shall win 

Igraine as wife, a child shall be born to you that 
is to be given unto me to be brought up as I 
will ; this shall be for your honor and the child’s 
avail.” 

That night King Uther met in battle the Duke 
of Tintagil, who had protected Igraine in her 
castle, and overcame him. Then Igraine wel- 
comed Uther as her true lover, for Merlin had 
given him the appearance of one dear to her, and, 
the barons being all well accorded, the two were 
married on a morning with great mirth and joy. 

When the time came that Igraine should bear 
a son, Merlin came again unto the King to claim 
his promise, and he said : “ I know a lord of 

yours in this land, a passing true man and a 



THE CLIFFS OF TINTAGIL, CORNWALL. 
(From a photograph.) 












Of the Birth of King Arthur 3 

faithful, named Sir Ector, and he shall have the 
nourishing of your child. Let the young Prince 
be delivered to me at yonder privy postern, when 
I come for him.” 

So the babe, Arthur Pendragon, bound in a 
cloth of gold, was taken by two knights and two 
ladies to the postern gate of the castle and de- 
livered unto Merlin, disguised as a poor man, 
and by him was carried forth to Sir Ector, whose 
wife nourished him as her own child. 

Then within two years King Uther fell sick of 
a great malady. Wherefore all the barons made 
great sorrow, and asked Merlin what counsel 
were best, for few of them had ever seen or heard 
of the young child, Arthur. On the morn all by 
Merlin’s counsel came before the King, and Mer- 
lin said : “ Sir, shall your son Arthur be king, 
after your days, of this realm with all the ap- 
purtenance ? ” 

Then Uther Pendragon turned him and said in 
hearing of them all, “ I give him God’s blessing 
and mine, and bid him righteously and honor- 
ably to claim the crown upon forfeiture of my 
blessing.” 

Therewith he died, and he was buried as be- 
fitted a king, and the Queen, fair Igraine, and all 
the barons made great sorrow. 


CHAPTER II 


UTHER’S SON, RIGHTWISE KING OF ALL 
ENGLAND 

HEN stood the kingdom in great jeop- 



ardy a long while, for every lord 


strengthened himself, and many a one 


thought to be king rather than be ruled by a 
child that they had never known. All this con- 
fusion Merlin had foreseen, and he had taken 
the young prince away, to keep him safe from 
the jealous barons until he should be old enough 
to rule wisely for himself. Even Sir Ector did not 
know that the boy growing up with his own son 
Kay was the King’s child, and heir to the realm. 

When now young Arthur had grown into a 
tall youth, well trained in all the exercises of 
honorable knighthood, Merlin went to the Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury and counseled him to send 
to all the lords of the realm and all the gentle- 
men of arms, that they should come to London 
at Christmas time, since God of his great mercy 
would at that time show by miracle who should 
be rightwise king of the realm. The Archbishop 


4 


Uther’s Son 


5 

did as Merlin advised, and all the great knights 
made them clean of their life so that their prayer 
might be the more acceptable unto God, and 
when Christmas came they went unto London, 
each one thinking that perchance His wish to be 
made king should be granted. So in the greatest 
church of the city (whether it was St. Paul’s or 
not the old chronicle maketh no mention) all 
were at their prayers long ere day. 

When matins were done and they came out 
of the church, there was seen in the churchyard 
a great square stone, in the midst of which was 
an anvil of steel, a foot high, with a fair sword 
naked at the point sticking through it. Written 
in gold about the sword were letters that read 
thus : “ Whoso pulleth out this sword from this 
stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all 
England.” 

All the people marveled at the stone and the 
inscription, and some assayed — such as would be 
king — to draw out the sword. But none might 
stir it, and the Archbishop said : “He is not here 
that shall achieve this sword, but doubt not God 
will make him known. This now is my counsel, 
that we cause to be chosen ten knights, men of 
good fame, to guard this sword until the rightful 
possessor shall appear.” 


6 


Stories of King Arthur 

So it was ordained, and it was proclaimed that 
every man should assay that would, to win the 
sword. And upon New Year’s Day the barons 
held jousts and a tournament for all knights that 
would engage. All this was ordained for to keep 
the lords and the commons together, for the 
Archbishop trusted that God would soon make 
him known that should win the sword. So upon 
New Year’s Day the barons rode to the field, 
some to joust and some to tourney ; and it 
happened that Sir Ector rode also, and with 
him Sir Kay, his son, that had just been 
made knight, and young Arthur that was his 
foster-brother. 

As they rode to the joust- ward Sir Kay sud- 
denly missed his sword, which he had left at his 
father’s lodging, and he begged young Arthur to 
ride and fetch it. “ I will gladly,” said Arthur, 
and he hastened off home. But the lady and all 
the household were out to see the jousting, and 
he found nobody at home to deliver him the 
sword. Then was Arthur troubled, and said to 
himself, “ I will ride to the churchyard and take 
the sword that sticketh in the stone, for my 
brother Sir Kay shall not be without a sword this 
day.” 

So when he came to the great stone Arthur 


Uther’s Son 


7 


alighted, and tied his horse to the stile. He 
then went straight to the tent of the guards, 
but found no knights there, for they were at the 
jousting. So he took the sword by the handles, 
and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the anvil ; 
then he mounted his horse and rode his way till 
he came to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered 
him the sword. 

As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he knew 
well it was that one of the stone, and so he rode 
away to his father, Sir Ector, and said : “ Sir, lo 
here is the sword of the stone ; wherefore I must 
be king of this land.” 

When Sir Ector beheld the sword, all three re- 
turned to the church and entered it. Anon Sir 
Ector made Sir Kay to swear upon a book how 
he came by that sword. And Sir Kay answered 
that Arthur had brought it to him. “ And how 
gat ye the sword?” said he to Arthur; and 
when Sir Ector heard how it had been pulled 
from the anvil, he said to Arthur : “ Now I un- 
derstand ye must be king of this land.” 

“ Wherefore I ? ” said Arthur, “ and for what 
cause? ” 

“ Sir,” said Ector, “ for God will have it so • 
for there should never man have drawn out this 
sword but he that shall be rightwise king. Now 


8 Stories of King Arthur 

let me see whether ye can put the sword there 
as it was, and pull it out again.” 

“ That is no mastery,” said Arthur, and so he 
put it into the stone. Therewith Sir Ector as- 
sayed to pull out the sword, and failed. Then Sir 
Kay pulled at it with all his might, but it would 
not yield. 

“ Now shall ye assay again,” said Sir Ector to 
Arthur. 

“ I will well,” said Arthur, and pulled it out 
easily a second time. 

Now was Sir Ector sure that Arthur was of 
higher blood than had been thought, and that the 
rightful king had been made known. And he 
told his foster-son all, how he was not his father, 
but had taken him to nourish at Merlin’s request. 
Arthur was grieved indeed when he understood 
that Sir Ector was not his father, and that the 
good lady that had fostered and kept him as her 
own son was not his true mother, and he said to 
Sir Ector, “ If ever it be God’s will that I be 
king, as ye say, ye shall desire of me what I may 
do, and I shall not fail you.” 

Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop 
and told him how the sword was achieved, and 
by whom. And all the barons came thither, that 
whoever would might assay to take the sword. 


Uther’s Son 


9 

But there before them all none might take it out 
but Arthur. Now many lords became wroth, 
and said it was great shame unto them all and to 
the realm to be governed by a boy. They con- 
tended so at that time that the matter was put off 
till Candlemas, when all the barons should meet 
there again. A pavilion was set over the stone 
and the sword, and the ten knights were ordained 
to watch there day and night, five being always 
on guard. 

So at Candlemas many more great lords came 
thither to win the sword, but none might prevail 
except Arthur. The barons were sore aggrieved 
at this, and again put it off in delay till the high 
feast of Easter. And as Arthur sped afore, so 
did he at Easter ; yet there were some of the great 
lords that had indignation that Arthur should be 
their king, and put it ofif in a delay till the feast 
of Pentecost. 

At the feast of Pentecost all manner of men 
assayed to pull at the sword, yet none might pre- 
vail but Arthur ; and he pulled it out afore all 
the lords and commons that were there. Where- 
fore all the commons cried at once, “ We will 
have Arthur unto our king ; we will put him no 
more in delay, for we all see that it is God’s will 
that he shall be our king, and who that holdeth 


io Stories of King Arthur 

against it we will slay as traitor.” And they 
kneeled down all at once, both rich and poor, and 
begged mercy of Arthur, because they had de- 
layed so long. And Arthur forgave them, and 
took the sword between both his hands, and of- 
fered it upon the altar where the Archbishop 
was, and so was he made knight of the best man 
that was there. 

And anon was the coronation made, and there 
Arthur swore unto his lords and the commons to 
be a true king, to stand for justice all the days 
of his life. Then he made all the lords that were 
subject to the crown to come in, and to do 
service as they ought to do. And many great 
wrongs that had been done since the death of 
King Uther were righted, and to lords, knights, 
ladies, and gentlemen were given back the lands 
of which they had been unjustly deprived. When 
the King had thus established justice in all the 
countries about London, he made Sir Kay sen- 
eschal of England, and other officers he appointed 
also that should aid in keeping back his enemies 
and holding his realm in peace and orderliness. 


CHAPTER III 


HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EX- 
CALIBUR 

O N a day there came into the court of 
the young King a squire on horseback, 
bringing a knight, his master, mortally 
wounded, and seeking justice against the mur- 
derer. Then came up Griflet, that was but a 
squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, 
and asked to be given the order of knighthood, 
that he might ride out against the knight that 
had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in 
the forest. 

Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave 
youth into peril by giving him so high an ad- 
venture ; but at the desire of Griflet the King at 
the last gave him the order of knighthood, and 
he rode away till he came to the fountain. 

There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and 
his horse all saddled and bridled, and his shield 
of divers colors and a great spear hanging on a 
tree hard by. Griflet struck the shield with the 
butt of his spear, so that it fell clattering down 
1 1 


12 


Stories of King Arthur 

to the ground. With that the knight came out 
of the pavilion and said, “ Fair knight, why 
smote ye down my shield ? ” 

“ For I will joust with you,” said Griflet. 

“ It is better ye do not,” said the knight, “ for 
ye are but a young and late-made knight, and 
your might is nothing to mine.” 

But Griflet would have it so, and the two ran 
together with such force that Griflet’s spear was 
all shattered, and horse and rider fell down sore 
wounded. When the knight saw the youth 
lying on the ground, he was heavy of heart ; and 
he unlaced his helm to give him air, and finally, 
setting him on his horse, sent him with cheering 
words back to the court. Here great dole was 
made for him because of his wounds, and 
Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir 
Griflet. 

The next morning ere day the King ordered 
his best horse, and in full armor rode out alone 
to encounter the knight of the fountain. It was 
a strong battle they had. Arthur’s spear was all 
shattered, and his horse fell to the ground. Then 
they fought with swords with many great strokes 
and much blood-shed on both sides. Finally by 
a mighty blow from his enemy, — a passing big 
man of might, — Arthur’s sword was smitten in 


How Arthur Gat His Sword Excalibur 13 

two pieces, and he was called upon to yield him- 
self as overcome and recreant, or die. 

“ As for death,” said King Arthur, “ welcome 
be it when it cometh ; but to yield me unto thee 
as recreant, I had rather die than to be so 
shamed.” 

Therewithal came Merlin, and made known 
who Arthur was. Then by enchantment he 
caused the knight to fall into a deep sleep, and 
bore Arthur away to a hermit to be cured of his 
wounds. 

When, after three days of rest and healing, he 
was riding with Merlin through the forest, King 
Arthur said, “ I have no sword.” 

“No matter,” said Merlin ; “ there is one near 
by that I can perhaps get for you.” 

So they rode on till it chanced that they passed 
a fair and broad lake. In the midst of the water 
Arthur became aware of an arm clothed in white 
samite holding aloft a beautiful sword. 

“ Lo ! there is the sword of which I spake,” 
said Merlin, “ and yonder is the Lady of the 
Lake ready to help you to it, if ye speak fair to 
her.” 

Anon came the damsel unto Arthur and 
saluted him, and he her again. “ Damsel,” said 
Arthur, “ what sword is it that the arm holdeth 


14 Stories of King Arthur 

above the water yonder? I would it were mine, 
for I have no sword.” 

“ Sir Arthur King,” said the damsel, “ that 
sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift when 
I ask it you, go ye into yonder barge and row 
yourself to the sword, and take it and the scab- 
bard with you.” 

So Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied 
their horses to a tree, and then they went into 
the magic boat. Soon they were beside the 
sword that the hand held up. Arthur took it 
by the handle, the arm and the hand went down 
beneath the water, and the two travelers rowed 

9 

back to the land and went forth. 

As they rode along Arthur looked on the 
sword, which had the name Excalibur, that is as 
much as to say Cut-steel, and he liked it passing 
well, for the handle was all set with precious 
stones. 

“ Which like you better,” said Merlin, “ the 
sword or the scabbard ? ” 

“ The sword,” replied Arthur. 

“Ye are unwise,” said Merlin ; “ the scabbard 
is worth ten of the sword, for while ye have the 
scabbard upon you, ye shall lose no blood ; 
therefore keep well the scabbard always with 
you.” 


How Arthur Gat His Sword Excalibur 15 

In this way Arthur came by Excalibur, and 
many an adventure he was to have with it, and 
was to suffer great danger when by evil interfer- 
ence it was, as we shall see, for a time stolen 
from him. With it in hand the hardest fight 
went well in the end, for the scabbard kept him 
from weakness, and a mysterious power lay in 
the strong, true blade that none could withstand, 
until the time came for King Arthur to give 
back the sword to the Lady of the Lake and to 
die of the wounds of a traitor. 

So King Arthur and Merlin rode on, and 
when they came back safe to Carlion and the 
court the knights were passing glad. Some 
wondered that the King would risk himself 
abroad so alone, but all men of valor said it was 
merry to be under such a chief that would put 
his person in adventure as other poor knights 
did. 


CHAPTER IV 


BALIN AND BALAN 

O N a day there came a messenger to King 
Arthur saying that King Ryons of North 
Wales, a strong man in body and pass- 
ing proud, had discomfited and overcome eleven 
kings, and each of these to do him homage had 
cut his beard clean off as trimming for King 
Ryons’ royal mantle. One place of the mantle 
still lacked trimming ; wherefore he sent for Ar- 
thur’s beard, and if he did not receive it he would 
enter England to burn and slay, and never would 
he leave till he had Arthur, head and all. 

“ Well,” said Arthur to the messenger, “ thou 
hast said thy message, the most insolent ever 
sent unto a king. Thou seest my beard is full 
young yet to make a trimming of it. Tell thou 
thy king I owe him no homage, but ere long he 
shall do me homage on both his knees.” So the 
messenger departed. 

Among those who, at Arthur’s call, gathered 
at Camelot to withstand King Ryons’ invasion of 
the land was a knight that had been Arthur’s 
16 


Balin and Balan 


17 


prisoner half a year and more for some wrong 
done to one of the court. The name of this 
knight was Balin, a strong, courageous man, but 
poor and so poorly clothed that he was thought 
to be of no honor. But worthiness and good 
deeds are not all only in arrayment. Manhood 
and honor is hid within man’s person, and many 
an honorable knight is not known unto all people 
through his clothing. This Balin felt deeply the 
insult of King Ryons, and anon armed himself 
to ride forth to meet with him and mayhap to 
destroy him, in the hope that then King Arthur 
would again be his good and gracious lord. 

The meanwhile that this knight was making 
ready to depart on this adventure, there came to 
Arthur’s court the Lady of the Lake, and she 
now asked of him the gift that he promised her 
when she gave him his sword Excalibur. 

“ Ask what ye will,” said the King, “ and ye 
shall have it, if it lie in my power to give.” 

Thereupon she demanded Balin’s head, and 
would take none other thing. 

“ Truly,” said King Arthur, “ I may not grant 
this with my honor,” and Balin was allowed to 
make ready for the adventure with King Ryons. 

But ere he had left the court he saw the Lady 
of the Lake. He went straight to her, and with 


i8 Stories of King Arthur 

his sword lightly smote off her head before King 
Arthur, for he knew her as the untruest lady liv- 
ing, one that by enchantment and sorcery had 
been the destroyer of many good knights. 

“ Alas ! for shame,” said Arthur. “ Why have 
ye done so? Ye have shamed me and all my 
court, for this was a lady that I was beholden to f 
and hither she came under my safe conduct. I 
shall never forgive you that trespass. What 
cause soever ye had, ye should have spared her 
in my presence ; therefore withdraw you out of 
my court in all haste that ye may.” 

So Balin, — called Balin the Wild for his sav- 
age and reckless nature, — departed with his 
squire, and King Arthur and all the court made 
great mourning, and had shame at the death of 
the Lady of the Lake. Then the King buried 
her richly. 

In sorrow over the evil he had wrought and 
the disfavor of his king, Balin turned his horse 
towards a great forest, and there by the armor he 
was ware of his brother Balan. And when they 
were met, they put off their helms and kissed to- 
gether, and wept for joy. 

Anon the knight Balin told his brother 
of the death of the Lady of the Lake, and 
said : “ Truly I am right heavy of he'art that 


Balin and Balan ig 

my lord Arthur is displeased with me, for 
he is the most honorable knight that reigneth 
on earth, and his love I will get or else I will 
put my life in adventure with King Ryons, 
that lieth now at the castle Terrabil. Thither 
will we ride together in all haste, to prove our 
honor and prowess upon him.” 

“ I will gladly do that,” said Balan ; “ we will 
help each other as brothers ought to do.” 

So they took their way to find King Ryons, 
and as they rode along together they encountered 
him in a straight way with threescore knights. 
Anon Balin and Balan smote him down from his 
horse, and slew on the right hand and the left 
hand more than forty of his men. The remnant 
fled, and King Ryons yielded him unto their 
grace as prisoner. So they laid him on a horse- 
litter, for he was fiercely wounded, and brought 
him to Camelot. There they delivered him to 
the porters and charged them with him ; and 
then they two returned to further adventure. 

And Balin rode towards the castle of King 
Pellam to revenge the wrongs of knights and 
ladies on a treacherous knight named Garlon. 
He had a fifteen days’ journey thither, and the 
day he came unto the castle there began a great 
feast. Balin was well received, and led to a 


20 


Stories of King Arthur 

chamber, where he laid off his armor. They 
also brought him robes to his pleasure, and 
would have had him leave his sword behind him. 

“ Nay,” said Balin, “ that do I not, for it is the 
custom of my. country for a knight always to 
have his weapon with him, and that custom 
will I keep, or else I will depart as I came.” 

Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, 
and so he went unto the hall and was set among 
the knights of honor. 

Soon he saw the false knight Garlon, and 
thought to himself : “If I slay him here I shall 
not escape, and if I leave him now, peradventure 
I shall never meet with him again at such a good 
time, and much harm will he do if he live.” 

Then this Garlon espied that Balin watched 
him, and he came and smote Balin on the face, 
and said : “ Knight, why watchest thou me so ? 
Eat thy meat, and do that thou earnest for.” 

Then Balin said, “ I will do that I came for,” 
and rose up fiercely and clove his head to the 
shoulders. 

Anon all the knights arose from the table to 
set on Balin, and King Pellam himself caught in 
his hand a grim weapon and smote eagerly at 
Balin, but Balin put his sword betwixt his head 
and the stroke. With that his sword was broken 


Balin and Balan 


21 


in sunder, and he, now weaponless, ran into a 
chamber to seek some weapon, and so from 
chamber to chamber, but no weapon could he 
find, and alway King Pellam came after him. 

At last Balin entered into a chamber that was 
marvelously well furnished and richly, wherein 
was a bed arrayed with cloth of gold, the richest 
that might be thought, and thereby a table of 
clean gold, and upon the table a marvelous spear, 
strangely wrought. And when Balin saw that 
spear he took it in his hand, and turned to King 
Pellam and smote him passing hard with it so 
that he fell down in a swoon. Therewith the 
castle roof and walls brake and fell to the earth, 
and Balin also, so that he might not stir foot nor 
hand, for through that dolorous stroke the most 
part of the castle that was fallen down lay upon 
him and Pellam. 

After three days Merlin came thither, and he 
took up Balin and gat him a good horse, for his 
was dead, and bade him ride out of the country. 
Merlin also told him that his stroke had turned 
to great dole, trouble, and grief, for the marvel- 
ous spear was the same with which Longius, the 
Roman soldier, smote our Lord Jesus Christ to 
the heart at the crucifixion. 

Then departed Balin from Merlin, never to 


22 


Stories of King Arthur 

meet him again, and rode forth through the fair 
countries and cities about Pellam Castle, and 
found people dead, slain on every side. And all 
that were left alive cried : “ O Balin, thou hast 

caused great damage in these countries, for by 
the dolorous stroke thou gavest unto King 
Pellam three countries are destroyed, and doubt 
not but the vengeance will fall on thee at the 
last.” 

When Balin was out of those countries he was 
passing glad, and after many days he came by a 
cross, whereon were letters of gold written that 
said, “ It is not for any knight alone to ride 
towards this castle.” Then saw he an old hoar 
gentleman coming towards him that said, “ Balin 
the Wild, thou passest thy bounds to come this 
way ; therefore turn again and it will avail thee.” 
The old gentleman vanished away, and then 
Balin heard a horn blow, as if for the death of a 
beast in the chase. “ That blast,” said he, “ is 
blown for me, for I am the prize, yet am I not 
dead.” Anon he saw a hundred ladies and many 
knights, that welcomed him with fair semblance, 
and made him passing good cheer seemingly, 
and led him into the castle, where there were 
dancing and minstrelsy, and all manner of joy. 

Then the chief lady of the castle said, “ Knight, 


Balin and Balan 


2 3 

ye must have ado with a knight close by that 
keepeth an island, for there may no man pass this 
way but he must joust, ere he go farther.” 

“ That is an unhappy custom,” said Balin, “ that 
a knight may not pass this way unless he joust, 
but since that is my duty, thereto am I ready. 
Traveling men are oft weary, and their horses 
also ; but though my horse be weary my heart is 
not weary.” 

“ Sir,” said a knight then to Balin, “ me think- 
eth your shield is not good ; I will lend you a 
better.” 

So Balin took the shield that was unknown, 
and left his own, and rode unto the island. He 
put himself and his horse in a great boat, and 
when he came on the other side he met with a 
damsel, and she said, “ O Knight Balin, why 
hast thou left thine own shield ? Alas ! thou 
hast put thyself in great danger, for by thine own 
shield thou shouldst have been known. It is a 
great pity, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou 
hast no equal living.” 

“ Me repenteth,” said Balin, “ that ever I came 
within this country, but I may not turn now 
again for shame, and what adventure shall fall to 
me, be it life or death, I will take the adventure 
that shall come to me.” 


24 Stories of King Arthur 

Then he looked on his armor, and understood 
he was well armed, for which he was thankful, 
and so he mounted upon his horse. Then before 
him he saw come riding out of a castle a knight 
in red armor, and his horse was all trapped in the 
same color. When this knight in red beheld 
Balin, he thought he was like his brother ; but 
because he knew not his shield, he deemed it was 
not he. And so they couched their spears and 
came marvelously fast together, and they smote 
each other in the shields ; but their spears were 
so heavy and their course so swift that horse and 
man were borne down, and both knights lay in a 
swoon. Balin was bruised sore with the fall 
of his horse, for he was weary with travel, and 
Balan (for the knight in red was none other) 
was the first that rose to his feet. He drew his 
sword and went towards Balin, who arose and 
went against him. But Balan smote Balin first, 
striking through his shield and cleaving his 
helm. Then Balin smote him in return with 
that unhappy sword that had already wrought so 
great harm, and the blow well nigh felled his 
brother Balan. So they fought there together 
till their breaths failed. 

Then Balin looked up to the castle, and saw 
the towers stand full of ladies ; so they went to 


Balin and Balan 


2 5 

battle again and wounded each other dolefully. 
Then they breathed ofttimes, and yet again 
went unto battle, until all the place there was 
blood-red from the great wounds that either had 
smitten other, and their hauberks became un- 
riveted so that naked they were on every side. 

At last Balan, the younger brother, withdrew 
a little and laid himself down. Then said Balin 
the Wild, “ What knight art thou ? for ere now I 
found never a knight that matched me.” 

“ My name is,” said he, “ Balan, brother to the 
good knight Balin.” 

“ Alas ! ” said Balin, “ that ever I should see 
this day.” Thereupon he fell backward in a 
swoon. 

Then Balan crept on all fours to his brother 
and put off his helm, but he might not know 
him, his visage was so disguised by blood and 
wounds. But when Balin awoke, he said, “ O 
Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me and I thee, 
wherefore all the wide world shall speak of us 
both.” 

“ Alas ! ” said Balan, “ that ever I saw this day, 
that through mishap I might not know thee ! 
Because thou hadst another shield I deemed thou 
wert another knight.” 

“ Alas ! ” said Balin, “ all this was caused by 


26 


Stories of King Arthur 

an unhappy knight in the castle, that made me 
leave mine own shield, to the destruction of us 
both.” 

Then anon Balan died, and at midnight after, 
Balin ; so both were buried together, and the 
lady of the castle had Balan’s name written on 
the tomb and how he was there slain by his 
brother’s hand, but she knew not Balin’s name. 
In the morn came Merlin and wrote Balin’s in- 
scription also in letters of gold : “ Here lieth 
Balin the Wild, that smote the dolorous stroke.” 

Soon after this was done Merlin came to King 
Arthur and told him of the dolorous stroke that 
Balin gave King Pellam, and how Balin and 
Balan fought together the most marvelous battle 
that ever was heard of, and how they were buried 
both in one tomb. “ Alas ! ” said King Arthur ; 
“ this is the greatest pity that ever I heard tell 
of two knights, for in the world I know not such 
two knights.” 

Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two 
brethren born in Northumberland, good knights 
both. 


CHAPTER V 


THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE 
RTHUR was indeed king, but enemies 



long held out against his just authority. 


JL JL When he went into Wales to be crowned 
at the city of Carlion, he let cry a great feast to 
be holden at Pentecost. Unto this feast came 
the six kings of that region with many of their 
knights, and Arthur thought it was to do him 
honor. But when he made joy of their coming 
and sent them great presents, the kings would 
none receive, and said they had no joy to receive 
gifts of a beardless boy that was come of low 
birth. They sent him word that they were come 
to give him gifts with hard swords betwixt the 
neck and the shoulders, for it was great shame to 
all of them to see such a boy have rule of so 
noble a realm as this land was. 

This answer was told King Arthur, who now 
betook himself to a strong tower and five hun- 
dred good men with him. Here the six kings 
laid siege to him, but he was well victualed ; and 
soon Merlin came and bade him fear not, but 


28 Stories of King Arthur 

speak boldly to his enemies, “ for,” said he, “ ye 
shall overcome them all, whether they will or 
nill” 

So the King armed himself and all his knights 
and came out to do battle with his enemies. 
Then three hundred good men of the best that 
were with the kings went straight over unto 
King Arthur, which comforted him greatly. So 
he set upon the hosts of the six kings, and he 
and his men did marvelous deeds of arms. 
Therewith he put them back, and then the com- 
mons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves and 
slew many of the enemy, and so they fled away. 

Since the enemy were still passing strong, 
Merlin counseled King Arthur to send letters 
well devised beyond the sea to the two brethren, 
marvelous good men of their hands, named one 
King Ban of Benwick and the other King Bors 
of Gaul, and to say to them that, if they would 
come and help King Arthur in his wars, he in 
turn would be sworn unto them to help them in 
their wars against King Claudas, a mighty man 
that strove with them for a castle. 

So there were made letters in the pleasantest 
wise, according to King Arthur’s desire, and 
Ulfius and Brastias, the messengers, rode forth 
well horsed and well armed, and so passed the 


The Noble Order of the Round Table 29 

sea and came to the city of Benwick. Here 
they had good cheer as long as they tarried, and 
received the answer that King Ban and King 
Bors would come unto King Arthur in all the 
haste they might. 

Now those six kings in Wales had by their 
means gotten unto them five other kings, and all 
swore together that for weal or woe they would 
not leave each other till they had destroyed 
Arthur. So their whole host drew towards 
Arthur, now strengthened by Ban and Bors with 
their followers that had crossed from Gaul to his 
aid. Then followed a great battle, and they did 
on both sides great deeds of arms until at the 
last Merlin counseled Arthur to fight no longer, 
since the eleven kings had more on hand than 
they were ware of, and would soon depart 
home ; for a messenger would come and tell 
them that lawless people as well as Saracens, 
forty thousand in number, had entered their 
lands and were burning and slaying without 
mercy. So the great battle was ended, and the 
eleven kings went to their own country. 

Now King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors 
came with their following into the country of 
Cameliard, and there aided King Leodegrance 
against an enemy of that land. King Leode- 


30 Stories of King Arthur 

grance thanked them for their goodness, and 
made them great cheer ere King Ban and King 
Bors departed back towards Benwick. 

In Cameliard Arthur had the first sight of 
Guenever, the King’s daughter, and ever after- 
wards he loved her. So when peace was once 
more in his land, King Arthur asked counsel of 
Merlin about seeking her as his wife, for to him 
she was the most valiant and fairest lady living or 
to be found. 

“ Sir,” said Merlin, “ as for her beauty, she is 
one of the fairest alive, but if ye loved her not so 
well as ye do, I could choose better for you. 
Yet when a man’s heart is set, he will be loath to 
change.” 

So Merlin was sent forth to King Leode- 
grance, and he told him of King Arthur’s desire. 
King Leodegrance was glad that so worthy a 
king of prowess and of nobleness would wed his 
daughter, and promised him as wedding gift, — 
not lands, for he had enough and needed none, 
— but what should please him much more, the 
Table Round, which Uther Pendragon had given 
to the King of Cameliard, — a table made by Mer- 
lin at which an hundred and fifty knights might 
be seated. 

So Guenever, attended by Merlin and an 


The Noble Order of the Round Table 31 

hundred good knights (all King Leodegrance 
could spare, so many had been slain in his wars) 
with the Round Table rode with great pomp by 
water and by land to London. There King 
Arthur made great joy of their coming, for he 
had long loved Guenever. Also the gift pleased 
him more than right great riches. And the 
marriage and the coronation were ordained with 
all speed in the most honorable wise that could 
be devised. 

Merlin was sent to espy out in all the land 
fifty knights of most prowess and honor, who 
should make up the full number for the Round 
Table. Only twenty-eight could he find worthy 
enough, and these Merlin fetched to Arthur’s 
court. And Merlin made sieges (seats), an hun- 
dred and fifty in all, for the knights, and he 
placed in every knight’s siege his name in letters 
of gold. 

On that same day King Arthur founded the 
great Order of the Round Table, the fame of 
which was to last for all time. An hundred and 
twenty-eight were then sworn as Knights of the 
Table Round, and every year at the high feast 
of Pentecost others were to be added as they 
showed themselves worthy. Only one siege 
was long empty, the Siege Perilous, for no man 


32 Stories of King Arthur 

should sit therein but one, and if any one of un- 
worthy life were so hardy as to sit therein, he 
should be destroyed. 

With great ceremony each one took the vows 
of true knighthood, solemnly promising to do no 
wicked deed, to be loyal to the King, to give 
mercy to those asking it, always to be courteous 
and helpful to ladies, and to fight in no wrongful 
quarrel for worldly gain, upon pain of death or 
forfeiture of knighthood and King Arthur's 
favor. Unto this were all the knights of the 
Round Table sworn, both old and young. To 
dishonor knighthood was the greatest disgrace ; 
to prove themselves worthy of knightly honor 
by strong, brave, courteous, loyal bearing under 
great difficulties was the highest end of living. 

So King Arthur stablished all his knights, 
and to them that were not rich he gave lands ; 
and they rode abroad to right the wrongs of 
men and to give help to the oppressed. With 
their aid he secured order and justice throughout 
his realm, and then the weakest man might do 
his work in peace, and prosper. 





THE ROUND TABLE. 

(This supposed relic of King Arthur and his Knights now hangs upon 
the wall of Winchester Cathedral. Specially photographed.) 





CHAPTER VI 


THE LADIES’ KNIGHT 

T HE King was wedded unto Dame 
Guenever at Camelot with great solem- 
nity. Just as all were sitting at the 
high feast that followed the marriage, there came 
running into the hall a white hart, followed by a 
whole pack of hounds with a great cry, and the 
hart went about the Table Round. At a fierce 
bite from one of the dogs the hart made a great 
leap, and overthrew a knight that sat at the 
table, and so passed forth out of the hall again, 
with all the dogs after him. When they were 
gone the King was glad, for they made such a 
noise, but Merlin said, “Ye may not leave this 
adventure so lightly. Let call Sir Gawaine, for 
he must bring again the white hart. 1 ' 

“ I will,” said the King, “ that all be done by 
your advice.” So Sir Gawaine was called, and 
he took his charge and armed himself for the 
adventure. Sir Gawaine was one of King 
Arthur’s nephews, and had just been made a 
knight, for he had asked of the King the gift of 
33 


34 Stories of King Arthur 

knighthood on the same day that he should wed 
fair Guenever. 

So Sir Gawaine rode quickly forth, and Gaheris 
his brother rode with him, instead of a squire, to 
do him service. As they followed the hart by 
the cry of the hounds, they came to a great 
river. The hart swam over, and they followed 
after, and so at length they chased him into a 
castle, where in the chief courtyard the dogs 
slew the hart before Sir Gawaine and young 
Gaheris came up. Right so there came a knight 
out of a room, with a sword drawn in his hand, 
and he slew two of the greyhounds even in the 
sight of Sir Gawaine, and the remnant he chased 
with his sword out of the castle. 

When he came back he said, “ O my white hart, 
me repenteth that thou art dead, for my sovereign 
lady gave thee to me, and poorly have I kept thee. 
Thy death shall be dear bought, if I live.” 

Anon he came fiercely towards Sir Gawaine, 
and they struck mightily together. They clove 
their shields and broke their helms and hauberks 
so that the blood ran down to their feet. At the 
last Sir Gawaine smote the knight so hard that 
he fell to the earth ; and then he cried for mercy 
and yielded himself, and besought Sir Gawaine 
as he was a knight and gentleman to save his life. 


The Ladies’ Knight 35 

“ Thou shalt die,”said Sir Gawaine, “ for slay- 
ing of my hounds.” 

“ I will make amends,” said the knight, “ unto 
my power.” 

Sir Gawaine would no mercy have, but un- 
laced his helm to strike off his head, when at 
that instant came his lady out of a chamber. 
She fell upon her husband just as the blow de- 
scended, and so Sir Gawaine smote off her head 
by misadventure, and the knight was saved. 

“ Alas ! ” said Gaheris, “ that is foul and shame- 
fully done ; that shame shall never depart from 
you. Ye should give mercy unto them that ask 
mercy, for a knight without mercy is without 
honor.” 

Sir Gawaine was so astonished at the death of 
the fair lady that he knew not what he did, and 
he said unto the knight, “ Arise, I will give thee 
mercy ; and go thou unto King Arthur, and tell 
him how thou art overcome by the knight that 
went in the quest of the white hart.” 

“ I care not for mercy now,” said the knight, 
“ for thou hast slain my lady that I loved best of 
all earthly things; it matters not whether I live 
or die.” 

Then Sir Gawaine went into the castle and 
made ready to rest there all night. 


36 Stories of King Arthur 

“ What will ye do ? ” said Gaheris ; “ will ye 
unarm you in this country? Ye may believe ye 
have many enemies here.” 

He had no sooner said that word than there 
came four knights well armed, and anon they 
made Sir Gawaine and Gaheris yield themselves 
as prisoners, in spite of the brave battle wherein 
Sir Gawaine was sore wounded in the arm. 

Early on the morrow there came to Sir Ga- 
waine in the prison one of the ladies of the castle, 
and said, “ Sir Knight, what cheer ? ” 

“ Not good,” said he. 

“ It is your own fault,” said the lady, “ for ye 
have done a passing foul deed in the slaying of 
the lady, which will be great disgrace unto you. 
But be ye not of King Arthur’s kin ? ” 

“ Yes, truly,” said Sir Gawaine. “ My name 
is Gawaine, and my mother is King Arthur’s 
sister.” 

“ Ah, then are ye nephew unto King Arthur,” 
said the lady, “ and I shall so speak for you that 
ye shall have conduct to King Arthur, for love 
of him.” 

Then anon they delivered Sir Gawaine under 
this promise, that he should bear the dead lady to 
the court, the severed head hanging about his 
neck. Right so he rode forth unto Camelot, and 


The Ladies’ Knight 37 

Merlin made him tell of his adventure, and how 
he slew the lady, and how he would give no mercy 
unto the knight, whereby the lady was slain. 
Then the King and the Queen were greatly dis- 
pleased with Sir Gawaine, and by ordinance of 
the Queen there was set a quest of ladies on Sir 
Gawaine, and they ordered him forever while he 
lived to be with all ladies, and to fight for their 
quarrels ; and that ever he should be courteous, 
and never refuse mercy to him that asketh mercy. 
Thus was Gawaine sworn upon the four Evan- 
gelists that he should never be against lady nor 
gentlewoman, except if he fought for a lady and 
his adversary fought for another. 

Thus endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine, 
that he did at the marriage of King Arthur. 


CHAPTER VII 


WISE MERLIN’S FOOLISHNESS 
RTHUR was now established as king 



over all the land. The great council 


X _m.hall at Camelot, that is Winchester, had 
been built, some say by Merlin’s skill ; and the 
most loyal and the bravest knights of the world 
had been gathered at Arthur’s court to do honor 
to him and his fair Queen Guenever. 

Merlin was Arthur’s wisest helper and most 
powerful friend, as he had before been the helper 
and friend of his father Uther, for whom he had 
made the Round Table, signifying the roundness 
of the world. We have seen how he hid the 
young Arthur away from the jealousy of the 
wild barons, and how, by his power over men 
and his knowledge of what would be, he had 
saved the King’s life and guided his wise rule. 
The old magician Bleise, that dwelt in North- 
umberland, was Merlin’s master, and he it was 
that wrote down all the battles of Arthur with 
his enemies word by word as Merlin told him, 
and all the battles that were done in Arthur’s 


Wise Merlin’s Foolishness 


39 

days, until Merlin was lost, as we shall see, 
through his own foolishness. 

On a time Merlin told King Arthur that he 
should not endure long, but for all his crafts he 
should be put in the earth alive. Also he told 
many things that should befall, and how the 
king would miss him, so that rather than all his 
lands he would wish to have him again. 

“ Ah,” said King Arthur, “ since ye know of 
this, provide against it, and put away by your 
crafts that misadventure.” 

“ Nay,” said Merlin, “ it cannot be done.” 
For Merlin, now grown an old man in his dotage, 
had fallen under the spell of a damsel of the court 
named Nimue. With her he soon departed from 
the King, and evermore went with her wheresoever 
she went. Ofttimes he wished to break away 
from her, but he was so held that he could not 
be out of her presence. Ever she made him 
good cheer, till she had learned from him all she 
desired of his secret craft, and had made him 
swear that he would never do any enchantment 
upon her. 

They went together over the sea unto the land 
of Benwick, where Ban was king, that had helped 
Arthur against his enemies. Here Merlin saw 
young Launcelot, King Ban’s son, and he told 


40 Stories of King Arthur 

the queen that this same child should grow to be 
a man of great honor, so that all Christendom 
should speak of his prowess. So the queen was 
comforted of her great sorrow that she made for 
the mortal war that King Claudas waged on her 
lord and on her lands. 

Then afterwards Nimue and Merlin departed 
into Cornwall, and by the way he showed her 
many wonders, and wearied her with his desire 
for her love. She would fain have been delivered 
of him, for she was afraid of him, almost believ- 
ing him a devil’s son, and yet she could not put 
him away by any means. 

And so on a time it happened that Merlin 
showed to her a wonderful cavern in the cliff, 
closed by an enchanted stone. By her subtle 
working she soon made Merlin remove the stone 
and go into the cavern to let her know of the 
marvels there. Then she so wrought through 
the magic he had taught her that the stone was 
placed back again, so that he never came out for 
all the craft that he could do. And then she de- 
parted and left him there. 

On a day a certain knight rode to see adven- 
tures, and happened to come to the rock where 
Nimue had put Merlin, and there he heard him 
make great lamentation. The knight would 


Wise Merlin’s Foolishness 41 

gladly have helped him, and tried to move the 
great stone ; but it was so heavy that a hundred 
men might not lift it up. When Merlin knew that 
the knight sought his deliverance, he bade him 
leave his labor, for all was in vain. He could 
never be helped but by her that put him there. 

So Merlin’s prophecy of his own end was ful- 
filled, and he passed from the world of men. 
Arthur truly missed his old friend and marvelled 
what had become of him. Afterwards, when the 
last great battle came, he would have given every- 
thing to have Merlin with him again, but it could 
not be. 


CHAPTER VIII 


A STAG-HUNT AND WHAT CAME OF IT 

I T befell that Arthur and many of his knights 
rode on hunting into a deep forest, and 
King Arthur, King Uriens of Gore that was 
the husband of Arthur’s sister Morgan le Fay, 
and Sir Accolon of Gaul followed a great stag so 
fast that within a while they were ten miles from 
their fellowship. At the last they chased so sore 
that they slew their horses underneath them. 
Then were they all three on foot, and ever they 
saw the stag afore them passing weary and hard 
bestead. “ Let us go on foot,” said King Uriens, 
“ till we meet with some lodging.” 

Then were they ware of the stag that lay on a 
great water bank, and a dog biting on his throat, 
and more other hounds came after. King Ar- 
thur now blew the prize and dight the stag. 

But the three knights were in sore straits, so 
far from home and without horses, and they be- 
gan to look about the world. Then Arthur saw 
afore him in a great lake a little ship, all appar- 
eled with silk down to the water, coming right 
42 


A Stag-Hunt and What Came of It 43 

unto them, and it landed on the sands. They 
went on board, all three, to see what was in the 
ship. Soon it was dark night, and there sud- 
denly were about them an hundred torches set 
upon all the sides of the ship boards, and it gave 
great light. 

Therewithal there came out twelve fair damsels, 
and they set forth for the knights a supper of all 
meats that they could think. Then they showed 
them richly beseen chambers for the night, where 
the three huntsmen slept marvelously. But 
when they awoke next morning, everything had 
been changed through the sorcery of Morgan 
le Fay, that was secretly plotting against her 
brother, to destroy him. King Uriens awoke in 
his own bed in Camelot, and Arthur found him- 
self in a dark prison, with many woful knights 
complaining about him, and they soon told him 
for what cause they were there. 

The lord of the castle where they were prison- 
ers was the falsest knight alive, a treacherous, 
cowardly man, named Sir Damas. He had a 
younger brother, Sir Ontzlake, a good knight of 
prowess, well beloved of all people, from whom 
he was keeping back unjustly a full fair manor. 
Great war had been betwixt these brothers. 
Ontzlake was a far better fighter than the cow- 


44 Stories of King Arthur 

ardly Damas, and yet he could not bring the 
elder to give over the younger brother’s inherit- 
ance. He offered to fight for it, and wished Sir 
Damas to find a knight to fight in his stead, if he 
himself dared not engage. But Sir Damas was 
so hated that there was never one would fight for 
him, though he had by force taken all the knights 
of that whole region and brought them to his 
prison for to make them willing to take up his 
cause. Many had died there, and the twenty 
that were yet alive were lean and spent with hun- 
ger, but no one of them would stand against Sir 
Ontzlake. 

Anon there came a damsel unto Arthur and 
asked him, “What cheer?” “I cannot say,” 
said he. “ Sir,” said she, “ if ye will fight for 
my lord, ye shall be delivered out of prison, and 
else ye escape never with life.” 

“ Now,” said Arthur, “ that is hard, yet had I 
liefer to fight with a knight than to die in prison,” 
and so it was agreed that he should do the battle 
on this covenant, that he should be delivered 
and all the prisoners. With that all the twenty 
knights were brought out of the dark prison into 
the hall, and set free, but they all abode to see the 
battle. 

Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that was 


A Stag-Hunt and What Came of It 45 

with King Arthur and King Uriens on the stag- 
hunt and that fell asleep on the magic ship. 
When' he awoke he found himself beside a deep 
well, within half a foot of its edge, in great 
peril of death. 

“ Heaven save my lord King Arthur and King 
Uriens,” said he, “ for these damsels in the ship 
have betrayed us. They were devils and no 
women, and if I may escape this misadventure, I 
shall destroy all false damsels # that use enchant- 
ments, wherever I may find them.” 

Right then there came a dwarf with a great 
mouth and a flat nose, and saluted Sir Accolon 
and said he came from Queen Morgan le Fay. 
“ She greeteth you well,” said he, “ and biddeth 
you be of strong heart, for ye shall fight to- 
morn with a knight at the hour of prime, and 
therefore she hath sent you here Excalibur, 
Arthur’s sword, and the scabbard, and she bid- 
deth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to 
the uttermost without any mercy, like as ye 
promised her when ye spake together in pri- 
vate.” 

Sir Accolon believed he fully understood the 
message, and said he should keep his promise 
now that he had the sword. Just then a knight, 
who was no other than Sir Ontzlake himself, 


46 Stories of King Arthur 

with a lady and six squires, came up on horse- 
back, saluted Sir Accolon, and begged him to 
come and rest himself at his manor. So Accolon 
mounted upon a spare horse and rode to the 
manor, where he had passing good cheer. 

Meantime Sir Damas sent to his brother, Sir 
Ontzlake, and bade him make ready to fight the 
next day with a good knight who had- agreed to 
do battle for the disputed heritage ; and it hap- 
pened through NJorgan le Fay’s trickery that Ac- 
colon was lodged with Sir Ontzlake at the very 
time when this message came. Now Sir Ontz- 
lake was sore troubled at the message, for he had 
been wounded in both thighs by a spear a short 
time before, and was suffering much. Still, 
wounded as he was, he would have taken the 
battle in hand, had not Sir Accolon offered to 
fight in his stead, because Morgan le Fay had 
sent Excalibur and the sheath for the battle with 
the knight on the morrow. Then Sir Ontzlake 
was passing glad, and sent word unto his brother, 
Sir Damas, that he had a knight who would be 
ready in the field by to-morrow at the hour of 
prime. 

So it was arranged that Sir Arthur and Sir 
Accolon, unknown to one another, were to fight 
over the quarrel of the two brothers. Prepara- 


A Stag-Hunt and What Came of It 47 

tions were made accordingly, and all the knights 
and commons of the country were there to see the 
encounter. Just as Arthur was ready upon 
horseback, there came a damsel from Morgan le 
Fay bringing unto him a sword like unto Excali- 
bur, and the scabbard, and said : “ Morgan le 

Fay sendeth you here your sword for great love.” 
He thanked her, not knowing that the sword 
and scabbard were counterfeit, and brittle and 
false. 

They went eagerly to the battle, and gave 
many great strokes. Sir Accolon had all ad- 
vantage on his side, for he had the real Excali- 
bur, Morgan le Fay having so ordained that King 
Arthur should have been slain that day. King 
Arthur’s sword never bit like Sir Accolon’s, and 
almost every stroke Sir Accolon gave wounded 
sore, so that it was a marvel that Arthur stood. 
Almost from the first it seemed to him that the 
sword in Accolon's hand must be Excalibur, but 
he was so full of knighthood that knightly he en- 
dured the pain of the many wounds, and held 
out as well as he might until his sword brake at 
the cross and fell in the grass among the 
blood. 

Now he expected to die, but he held up his 
shield, and lost no ground, nor bated any cheer. 


48 Stories of King Arthur 

All men that beheld him said they never saw 
knight fight so well as Arthur did, considering 
the blood that he bled, and they were sorry for 
him. But Accolon was so bold because of Ex- 
calibur that he grew passing hardy, and called 
upon Arthur to yield himself as recreant. 

“ Nay,” said Sir Arthur, “ I may not so, for I 
have promised to do the battle to the uttermost 
by the faith of my body while my life lasteth, and 
therefore I had rather die with honor than live 
with shame ; and if it were possible for me to die 
an hundred times, I had rather die so oft than 
yield myself to thee ; for, though I lack weapon I 
shall lack no honor, and if thou slay me weapon- 
less that shall be thy shame.” 

But Accolon cared not for shame, and would 
not spare. He gave Arthur such a stroke that 
he fell nigh to the earth ; yet he pressed upon 
Accolon with his shield, and with the pommel of 
his sword in his hand gave such a blow that Ac- 
colon fell back a little. 

Now it chanced that one of the damsels of the 
court, she that had put Merlin under the stone, 
had come into the field for love of King Arthur, 
for she knew how Morgan le Fay had deter- 
mined that Arthur should be slain ; therefore she 
came to save his life. She saw how full of prow- 


A Stag-Hunt and What Came of It 49 

ess Arthur was, and grieved that so good a 
knight should be slain through false treason. So 
when Accolon gave another blow, the sword Ex- 
calibur fell out of his hand to the earth. Arthur 
lightly leaped to it and got it in his hand, and 
forthwith knew that it was his own Excalibur. 
Then he saw the scabbard hanging by Accolon’s 
side, and anon pulling it from him, he threw it 
off as far as he might throw it. Therewith Sir 
Arthur rushed upon Accolon with all his might 
and pulled him to the earth. He then snatched off 
his helmet for the final blow, and the fierce 
battle was at an end. 

“ Slay me ye may well,” said Accolon, “ if it 
please you, for ye are the best knight that ever I 
found, and I see well that God is with you.” 

But now Sir Arthur thought he must have 
seen this knight, and asked, “ Of what country 
art thou, and of what court ? ” And when Sir 
Accolon told him his name, then he remembered 
him of his sister, Morgan le Fay, and of the en- 
chantment of the ship. He made Accolon tell 
how he came by the sword, and then Arthur 
knew all the plot of his sister and of Accolon to 
have the King slain and herself made queen. 

For the first time Arthur now let Accolon 
know against whom he had been fighting. The 


50 Stories of King Arthur 

fallen knight cried aloud for mercy, when he 
learned that he had nearly slain the King, and 
said to all the knights and men that were then 
there gathered together : “ O lords, this noble 

knight that I have fought withal, which I sorely 
repent of, is the best man of prowess, of manhood, 
and of honor in the world, for it is King Arthur 
himself, the liege lord of us all, and with mishap 
and with misadventure have I done this battle 
with the king and lord in whose power I am.” 
Then all the people fell down on their knees, and 
called upon King Arthur for mercy, which he 
forthwith granted. 

The King was sorely hurt, and Accolon’s 
wounds were even worse. Arthur made haste to 
settle the quarrel of the brothers Sir Damas and 
Sir Ontzlake by giving the latter his rights and 
charging Sir Damas upon pain of death never to 
distress knights-errant that ride on their adven- 
tures, and then was carried off to a near-by 
abbey, and Sir Accolon with him, to have their 
wounds searched. 

Within four days Sir Accolon died from loss 
of blood during the fight, but King Arthur was 
well recovered. When Accolon was dead the 
King let send him on a horse-bier with six 
knights unto Camelot and said, “ Bear him to 


A Stag-Hunt and What Came of It 51 

my sister Morgan le Fay, and say that I send 
him to her as a present, and tell her that I have 
my sword Excalibur again and the scabbard.” 

So they departed with the body. 


CHAPTER IX 


THE TREACHERY OF MORGAN LE FAY 

T HE meanwhile Morgan le Fay thought 
that King Arthur was slain, and that she 
might now be queen of the land, with 
Sir Accolon as king. Then came tidings unto 
her that Accolon was dead and King Arthur had 
his sword again. When Queen Morgan wist all 
this she was so sorrowful that near her heart 
brake, but because she would not it were known, 
outward she kept her countenance, and made no 
semblance of sorrow. But well she wist, if she 
remained till her brother Arthur came thither, 
there should no gold go for her life. Then she 
went unto Queen Guenever, and asked her leave 
to ride into the country. 

“Ye may abide/’ said Queen Guenever, “ till 
your brother the King come home.” 

“ I may not,” said Morgan le Fay, “ for I have 
such hasty tidings that I may not tarry.” 

“ Well,” said Guenever, “ ye may depart when 
ye will.” 

So early on the morn, ere it was day, she took 
5 2 


The Treachery of Morgan le Fay 53 

her horse and rode all that day and most part of 
the night, and on the morn by noon she came to 
the abbey of nuns where lay King Arthur. 
Knowing he was there, she asked where he was 
at that time ; and they answered how he had laid 
him in his bed to sleep, for he had had but little 
rest these three nights. 

Then she alighted off her horse, and thought 
for to steal away Excalibur his sword. So she 
went straight unto his chamber, and no man 
durst disobey her commandment. There she 
found Arthur asleep in his bed, and Excalibur in 
his right hand naked. When she saw that, she 
was passing heavy that she might not come by 
the sword without awaking him, and that she 
wist well would be her death. Then she took 
the scabbard, and went her way on horseback. 

When the King awoke and missed his scab- 
bard, he was wroth, and he asked who had been 
there. They said his sister Queen Morgan had 
been there, and had put the scabbard under her 
mantle, and was gone. 

“ Alas,” said Arthur, “ falsely have ye watched 
me.” 

“ Sir,” said they all, “ we durst not disobey 
your sister’s commandment.” 

“ Ah,” said the King, “ let fetch the best horse 


54 Stories of King Arthur 

that may be found, and bid Sir Ontzlake arm him 
in all haste, and take another good horse and 
ride with me.” 

So anon the King and Ontzlake were well 
armed, and rode after this lady ; and so they came 
by a cross, and asked a cowherd if there came 
any lady late riding that way. 

“ Sir,” said this poor man, “ right late came a 
lady riding with forty horses, and to yonder 
forest she rode.” 

Then they spurred their horses and followed 
fast. Within a while Arthur had a sight of Mor- 
gan le Fay, and he chased as fast as he might. 
When she espied him following her, she rode a 
greater pace through the forest till she came to a 
plain. She saw she might not escape, wherefore 
she rode unto a lake thereby, and said, “ What- 
soever becometh of me, my brother shall not have 
this scabbard.” And then she let throw the 
scabbard in the deepest of the water, where it 
sank anon, for it was heavy of gold and precious 
stones. 

Thereupon Queen Morgan rode into a valley 
where many great stones were, and when she 
saw that she must be overtaken, she shaped her- 
self, horse and man, by enchantment, unto great 
marble stones. Anon came Sir Arthur and Sir 


The Treachery of Morgan le Fay 55 

Ontzlake, but they might not know the lady 
from her men, nor one knight from another. 

“ Ah,” said the King, “ here may ye see the 
vengeance of God, and now am I sorry that this 
misadventure is befallen.” 

And then he looked for the scabbard, but it 
could not be found, so he returned to the abbey 
where he came from. When Arthur was gone, 
Queen Morgan turned all into the likeness as she 
and they were before, and said, “ Sirs, now may 
we go where we will.” 

So she departed into the country of Gore, and 
there was she richly received, and made her 
castles and towns passing strong, for always she 
feared much King Arthur. 

When the King had well rested him at the 
abbey, he rode unto Camelot, and found his 
Queen and his barons right glad of his coming. 
And when they heard of his strange adventures 
as is afore rehearsed, they all had marvel of the 
falsehood of Morgan le Fay, and many knights 
wished her burned because of her wicked enchant- 
ments. “ Well,” said the King, “ I shall so be 
avenged on her, if I live, that all Christendom 
shall speak of it.” 

On the morn there came a damsel from Mor- 
gan to the King, and she brought with her the 


56 Stories of King Arthur 

richest mantle that ever was seen in that court, 
for it was* set as full of precious stones as one 
might stand by another, and there were the rich- 
est stones that ever the King saw. And the 
damsel said, “ Your sister sendeth you this mantle, 
and desireth that ye should take this gift of her, 
and in what thing she hath offended you, she will 
amend it at your own pleasure.” 

When the King beheld this mantle it pleased 
him much, but he said little. With that came 
one of the Damsels of the Lake unto the King and 
said, “ Sir, I must speak with you in private.” 

“ Say on,” said the King, “ what ye will.” 

“ Sir,” said the damsel, “ put not on you this 
mantle till ye have seen more, and in no wise let it 
come on you or on any knight of yours, till ye 
command the bringer thereof to put it upon 
her.” 

“ Well,” said King Arthur, “ it shall be done 
as ye counsel me.” And then he said unto the 
damsel that came from his sister, “ Damsel, this 
mantle that ye have brought me I will see upon 
you.” 

“ Sir,” said she, “ it will not beseem me to 
wear a king’s garment.” 

“ By my head,” said Arthur, “ ye shall wear ft ere 
it come on my back, or any man’s that here is.” 


The Treachery of Morgan le Fay 57 

And so the King made it to be put upon her, 
and forthwithal she fell down dead, and never- 
more spake word after, but burned to coals. 

Then was the King wonderly wroth, more than 
he was toforehand, and said unto King Uriens, 
“ My sister, your wife, is alway about to betray me, 
and well I wot either ye or your son Sir Uwaine is 
of counsel with her to have me destroyed ; but as 
for you,” said the King to King Uriens, “ I deem 
not greatly that ye be of her counsel, for she 
plotted with Accolon to destroy you as well as 
me. Therefore I hold you excused ; but as for 
your son, Sir Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and 
therefore I charge you put him out of my court.” 

So Sir Uwaine was discharged. And when 
Sir Gawaine wist that, he made himself ready to 
go with his cousin. So they two departed, and 
rode into a great forest, and came to an abbey 
of monks, where they were well lodged. But 
when the King wist that Sir Gawaine was departed 
from the court, there was made great sorrow 
among all the estates. 

“ Now,” said Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, “ we 
have lost two good knights for the sake of one.” 


CHAPTER X 


SIR LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE 

W HEN King Arthur, after long wars, 
rested and held a royal feast with his 
allies and noble knights of the Round 
Table, there came into his hall, he sitting on his 
throne royal, twelve ambassadors from Rome, 
and said to him : “ The high and mighty em- 

peror Lucius sendeth to the king of Britain greet- 
ing, commanding thee to acknowledge him for 
thy lord and to send the tribute due from this 
realm unto the empire according to the statutes 
and decrees made by the noble and worthy J ulius 
Caesar, conqueror of this realm and first emperor 
of Rome. And if thou refuse his demand and 
commandment, know thou for certain that he 
shall make strong war against thee, thy realms 
and lands, and shall chastise thee and thy sub- 
jects, so that it shall be warning perpetual unto 
all kings and princes not to deny their tribute 
unto the noble empire which dominateth the uni- 
versal world.” 

Some of the young knights hearing this mes- 
58 



THE OLD WEST GATE, WINCHESTER. 
(From a photograph.) 

















































































































. . . 










Sir Launcelot of the Lake 


59 


sage would have run on the ambassadors to slay 
them, saying that it was a rebuke unto all the 
knights there present to suffer them to say so to 
the King. But King Arthur commanded that 
none should do them any harm, and anon let 
call all his lords and knights of the Round Table 
to council upon the matter. And all agreed to 
make sharp war on the Romans, and to aid after 
their power. 

So the messengers were allowed to depart, and 
they took ship at Sandwich and passed forth by 
Flanders, Almaine, the mountains and all Italy 
until they came unto Rome. There they said to 
Lucius, “ Certainly he is a lord to be feared, for 
his estate is the royalist that ever we saw, and in 
his person he is the most manly man that liveth, 
and is likely to conquer all the world, for unto 
his courage it is too little ; wherefore we advise 
you to keep well your marches and straits in the 
mountains.” 

Then Lucius made ready a great host and 
marched into Gaul, and Arthur met him there 
with his army. The old chronicles tell of the 
great battles that were fought and the brave 
deeds of knights and lords, how Arthur him- 
self with Excalibur cleft the head of Lucius, and 
at length passed over the mountains into Lorn- 


60 Stories of King Arthur 

bardy and Tuscany, and so came into Rome. 
On a day appointed, as the romance telleth, he 
was crowned emperor by the Pope’s hand with 
all the royalty that could be made. 

After he had established all his lands from 
Rome unto France, and had given lands and 
realms unto his servants and knights, to each af- 
ter his desert in such wise that none complained, 
rich nor poor, all his lords and all the great 
men of estate assembled before him and said : 
“ Blessed be God, your war is finished and your 
conquest achieved, insomuch that we know none 
so great nor mighty that dare make war against 
you ; wherefore we beseech you to return home- 
ward and give us license to go home to our 
wives, from whom we have been long, and to rest 
us, for your journey is finished with honor.” 

So they all came over sea, and landed at Sand- 
wich, where Queen Guenever came and met the 
King. And he was nobly received of all the 
commons in every city and borough, and great 
gifts were presented to him at his home-coming, 
to welcome him. 

Of all the knights that, when Arthur came into 
England, had increased in honor, Sir Launcelot 
of the Lake in especial excelled in deeds of arms 
both for life and death. His parents, King Ban 


Sir Launcelot of the Lake 6l 

of Benwick and his fair queen, Elaine, had first 
named him Galahad, and, as has already been said, 
Merlin, before he disappeared under the stone, had 
foretold that within twenty years he should be 
known over the whole world as a great and 
worthy knight. It is no marvel, therefore, that 
Launcelot is the first knight that the French book 
maketh mention of after King Arthur came from 
Rome. He passed with Arthur into England, 
where he was received gladly and was made a 
knight of the Round Table. Queen Guenever had 
him in great favor above all other knights, and in 
return he was loyal to her above all other ladies 
and damsels all his life, and for love of her he did 
many deeds of arms, and saved her from the fire 
through his noble chivalry. Therefore jealous 
people spoke evil of Sir Launcelot and the Queen, 
because they were of less prowess and honor than 
he, and thereby great mischief arose in Arthur's 
court. From this came Arthur’s overthrow in 
the end, and the downfall of his noble realm. 

But for long years Launcelot was the glory of 
knighthood, and he vied with King Arthur him- 
self in deeds of prowess and of chivalrous 
courtesy in the tournament and on adventure. 


CHAPTER XI 


A NIGHT-TIME ADVENTURE OF SIR 
LAUNCELOT 

I N fulfillment of his oath as a knight of the 
Round Table Sir Launcelot rode into many- 
strange and wild countries and through 
many waters and valleys. He slew Sir Tur- 
quine, who watched to destroy knights, and he 
clove the head of another false traitor who at- 
tended to destroy and distress ladies, damsels, 
and gentlewomen. Other wrongs besides these 
he righted, and bravely withstood many a 
struggle. 

Now on a day it chanced that he passed a deep 
forest, where, as often before, he found strait 
lodging. But he was brave and strong, and 
feared no hardship provided he did nothing con- 
trary to his honor as a worthy knight. As he 
was riding over a long bridge there started upon 
him suddenly a passing foul churl, who struck his 
horse upon the nose and asked Sir Launcelot why 
he rode over that bridge without license. 

62 


A Night-Time Adventure 63 

“ Why should I not ride this way ? ” said Sir 
Launcelot ; “ it is the way I choose to ride.” 

“ Thou shall not choose,” said the churl, and 
began to beat him with his great club shod with 
iron. 

Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and made short 
work of this rough porter. Then he rode right 
on to the end of the bridge, through the fair vil- 
lage, where all the people in vain gave him warn- 
ing, and on straight into the green courtyard of 
the castle, which was Tintagil, in Cornwall. 

Anon there came upon him two great giants, 
with horrible clubs in their hands. With shield 
and sword he soon laid on the earth one of these 
giants. The other ran away for fear of the hor- 
rible strokes, and Sir Launcelot entered the hall. 
Here he set free threescore gentlewomen, who 
for seven years had been prisoners of the two 
giants, working all manner of silk works for their 
food. 

“ Show me such cheer as ye have,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “ and what treasure there is in this 
castle I give you for a reward for your grievance.” 
Then soon he mounted his horse again, and rode 
away upon further adventure. 

One night he came to the courtyard of an 
old gentleman, who lodged him with a good will, 


64 Stories of King Arthur 

and there he had good cheer for himself and his 
horse. When time was his host brought him 
into a fair garret over the gate to his bed. There 
Sir Launcelot unarmed him, set his armor beside 
him, and went to bed, and anon fell asleep. Soon 
afterward there came one on horseback, and 
knocked at the gate in great haste. When Sir 
Launcelot heard this, he arose up and looked out 
at the window, and saw by the moonlight 
three knights come after that one man ; all three 
lashed on him at once with swords, and that one 
knight turned on them knightly again and de- 
fended himself. 

“ Truly,” said Sir Launcelot, “ yonder one 
knight shall I help, for it were shame for me to 
see three knights on one, and if he be slain I am 
partner in his death.” 

Therewith he took his armor and let himself 
down from the window by a sheet to the four 
knights. 

“ Turn you knights unto me,” cried Sir Launce- 
lot aloud, “ and leave your fighting with that 
knight.” 

And then they all three left Sir Kay, for it was 
he who was so hard bestead, and turned unto Sir 
Launcelot. And there began great battle, for 
they alighted, all three, and struck many great 


A Night-Time Adventure 65 

strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed him on 
every side. Sir Kay would have helped him, 
but Sir Launcelot suffered him not, and anon 
within six strokes he had struck all three to the 
earth. Sir Launcelot made them yield them- 
selves to Sir Kay and promise to go next Whit- 
sunday to the court as prisoners of Queen 
Guenever. So they were suffered to depart, and 
Sir Launcelot knocked at the gate with the 
pommel of his sword. The host came, and they 
entered, Sir Kay and he. “ Sir,” said the host, 
“ I thought ye were in your bed.” “ So I was,” 
said Sir Launcelot, “ but I arose and leaped out 
at my window to help an old fellow of mine.” 

When they came nigh the light, Sir Kay knew 
well that it was Sir Launcelot, and therewith he 
kneeled down and thanked him for all his kind- 
ness that he had holpen him from death. 

“ Sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “ I have done noth- 
ing but that I ought to do, and ye are wel- 
come, and here shall ye repose you and take 
your rest.” 

So when Sir Kay was unarmed he asked for 
meat ; there was meat fetched him, and he ate 
strongly. Then they went to their beds, and Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Kay were lodged together in 
one bed. On the morn Sir Launcelot arose 


66 Stories of King Arthur 

early, and left Sir Kay sleeping. He put on Sir 
Kay’s armor and took his shield, and so went to 
the stable. He here got Sir Kay’s horse, took 
leave of his host, and so departed. 

Then soon afterward Sir Kay arose. He 
missed Sir Launcelot, and then he espied that his 
armor and his horse had been taken. “ Now by 
my faith,” said he, “ I know well that he will 
grieve some of the court of King Arthur, for my 
armor and horse will beguile all knights ; they 
will believe it is I, and will be bold to him. 
And because I have his armor and shield I am 
sure I shall ride in peace.” Then soon after- 
ward Sir Kay thanked his host and departed. 

So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep forest, and 
there in a dell he saw four knights standing under 
an oak, and they were of Arthur’s court. Anon 
as they had espied Sir Launcelot they thought 
by his arms it was Sir Kay. 

‘‘Now by my faith,” said Sir Sagramour, one 
of the four knights, “ I will prove Sir Kay’s 
might ; ” so he got his spear in his hand, 
and came toward Sir Launcelot. Therewith Sir 
Launcelot was ware, and knew him well ; and he 
smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man 
fell both to the earth. 

“ Lo, my fellows,” said Sir Ector, another of 


A Night-Time Adventure 67 

the four, “ yonder ye may see what a buffet he 
hath ; that knight is much bigger than ever was 
Sir Kay. Now shall ye see what I may do 
to him.” 

So Sir Ector gat his spear in his hand and 
galloped toward Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launce- 
lot smote him through shield and shoulder so 
that horse and man went to the earth, and ever 
his spear held. 

“ By my faith,” said Sir Uwaine, “ yonder is a 
strong knight, and I am sure he hath slain Sir 
Kay ; and I see by his great strength it will be 
hard to match him.” 

Therewithal Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his 
hand and rode toward Sir Launcelot. Sir Laun- 
celot knew him well, and so he met him on 
the plain, and gave him such a buffet that he 
was stunned, and long he wist not where he 
was. 

“ Now see I well,” said Sir Gawaine, the last 
of the four knights, “ I must encounter with that 
knight.” 

Then he dressed his shield and gat a good 
spear in his hand, and then they let run their 
horses with all their mights, and either knight 
smote other in midst of the shield. But Sir 
Gawaine’s spear brake, and Sir Launcelot charged 


68 Stories of King Arthur 

so sore upon him that his horse reversed up-so- 
down. 

Much sorrow had Sir Gawaine to get clear of 
his horse, and so Sir Launcelot passed on a pace, 
and smiled, and said, “ God give him joy that 
made this spear, for there came never a better in 
my hand.” 

Then the four knights went each one to other 
and comforted each other. “ What say ye to 
this deed ? ” said Sir Gawaine. “ He is a man of 
great might, for that one spear hath felled us 
four. I dare lay my head it is Sir Launcelot ; 
I know it by his riding.” 


CHAPTER XII 


HOW SIR LAUNCELOT CAME INTO THE 
CHAPEL PERILOUS 

O N a day as Sir Launcelot rode a great 
while in a deep forest, he was ware of an 
old manor beyond a bridge. And he 
passed over the bridge, that was old and feeble, 
and came into a great hall, where he saw lie a 
dead knight, that was a seemly man. And there- 
withal came out a lady weeping and wringing 
her hands, and she said : “ Oh knight, too much 
sorrow hast thou brought me.” 

“ Why say ye so ? ” said Sir Launcelot; “ I did 
never this knight any harm ; therefore, fair lady, 
be not displeased with me, for I am full sore ag- 
grieved at your grievance.” 

“ Truly sir,” she said, “ I know it is not ye that 
have slain my husband, for he that did that deed 
is sore wounded, and he is never likely to re- 
cover ; that I assure you.” 

“ What was your husband’s name ? ” asked Sir 
Launcelot. 

“ Sir,” said she, “ his name was Sir Gilbert, one 
69 


70 Stories of King Arthur 

of the best knights of the world, and he that hath 
slain him, I know not his name.” 

“ God send you better comfort,” said Sir 
Launcelot, and so he departed and went into the 
forest again, and there he met with a damsel who 
knew him well, and said aloud, “ Well are ye 
come, my lord ; and now I require thee on thy 
knighthood help my brother that is sore wounded, 
and never ceaseth bleeding, for this day fought 
he with Sir Gilbert and slew him in plain battle. 
My brother was sore wounded, and a sorceress 
that dwelleth in a castle hard by told me this day 
that my brother’s wounds should never be whole 
till I could find a knight that would go into the 
Chapel Perilous where he should find a sword and 
a bloody cloth that the wounded knight was 
wrapped in. A piece of that cloth and the 
sword should heal my brother’s wounds, if his 
wounds were searched with the sword and the 
cloth.” 

“ This is a marvelous thing,” said Sir Launce- 
lot, “ but what is your brother’s name ? ” 

“ Sir,” said she, “ his name is Sir Meliot.” 

“ That me repenteth,” said Sir Launcelot, “ for 
he is a fellow of the Table Round, and to help 
him I will do all in my power.” 

“ Then, sir,” said she, “ follow this highway, and 


7 1 


The Chapel Perilous 

it will bring you unto the Chapel Perilous, and 
here I shall wait till God send you again ; except 
you I know no knight living that may achieve 
that adventure.” 

So Launcelot departed, and when he came unto 
the Chapel Perilous, he alighted and tied his 
horse to the little gate of the churchyard. And 
soon he saw on the front of the chapel many fair 
rich shields turned up-so-down, and many of 
these shields he had seen borne by knights that 
he had known aforetime. Then he saw standing 
there by him thirty great knights, taller by a yard 
than any man that ever he had seen, all clad in 
black armor, ready with their shields, and their 
swords drawn. They all grinned and gnashed at 
Sir Launcelot, and when he saw their counte- 
nances, he put his shield afore him, and took his 
sword in his hand ready unto battle. He started 
to go right past the giants, and then they scat- 
tered on every side and gave him the way. 
Therewith he waxed all bold and entered into the 
chapel, where he saw no light but a dim lamp 
burning, and soon became aware of a corpse cov- 
ered with a cloth of silk. Sir Launcelot stooped 
down and cut off a piece of that cloth, whereupon 
the earth under him seemed to quake a little, and 
at this he feared. Then he saw a fair sword lying 


72 Stories of King Arthur 

by the dead knight. This he gat into his hand 
and hied out of the chapel. 

As soon as ever he was in the chapel yard all 
the giants spake to him with a grimly voice, and 
said : “ Knight, Sir Launcelot, lay that sword 
from thee, or else thou shalt die.” 

“ Whether I live or die,” said Sir Launcelot, 
“ no loud words will get it again ; therefore fight 
for it if ye will.” 

Then he immediately passed right through 
their midst, and beyond the chapel yard there 
met him a fair damsel, who said, “ Sir Launcelot, 
leave that sword behind thee, or thou wilt die 
for it.” 

“ I leave it not,” said Sir Launcelot, “ for any 
entreaties.” 

“ It is well,” said she. “ If thou didst leave that 
sword thou shouldst never see Queen Quenever 
again. Now, gentle knight, I request one thing 
of thee. Kiss me but once.” 

“ Nay,” said Sir Launcelot, “ God forbid that I 
should do that.” 

“ It is well, sir,” said she ; “ if thou hadst kissed 
me thy life days had been done. But now, alas, 
I have lost all my labor, for I ordained this chapel 
to win thee. Once I had Sir Gawaine well nigh 
within my power, but he fought with that knight 


73 


The Chapel Perilous 

that lieth there dead in yonder chapel, Sir Gil- 
bert, and smote off his left hand and so escaped. 
Sir Launcelot, I have loved thee these seven 
years, but now I know no woman may have thy 
love but Queen Quenever.” 

“Ye say well,” said Sir Launcelot. “ God pre- 
serve me from your subtile crafts.” 

Thereupon he took his horse and so departed 
from her, and soon met the damsel, Sir Meliot’s 
sister. Anon she led him to the castle where Sir 
Meliot lay, pale as the earth from bleeding. Sir 
Launcelot leaped unto him and touched his 
wounds with Sir Gilbert’s sword, and then wiped 
his wounds with a part of the cloth that Sir Gil- 
bert was wrapped in, and anon he was as whole 
a man as ever he had been in all his life. And 
then there was great joy between them. They 
made Sir Launcelot all the cheer that they might, 
and on the morn he took his leave of Sir Meliot 
and his sister, and rode away. 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE 
FALCON 

ND Sir Launcelot by fortune came to a 



fair castle, and as he passed by he was 


JL JLware of a falcon that came flying over his 
head toward a high elm. As the bird flew into 
the tree to take her perch, the long lines about 
her feet caught on a bough, and when she would 
take flight again she hung fast by the legs. Sir 
Launcelot saw how the fair falcon hung there, 
and he was sorry for her. 

Meanwhile came a lady out of the castle and 
cried aloud, “ O Launcelot, Launcelot, as thou 
art the flower of all knights, help me to get my 
hawk. I was holding my hawk and she slipped 
from me, and if my lord my husband knows that 
she is lost he will slay me.” 

“ What is your lord’s name ? ” said Sir Laun- 
celot. 

“ Sir,” said the lady, “ his name is Sir Phelot, 
a knight of Northgalis.” 

“ Well, fair lady,” said Launcelot, “ since ye 


74 


The Knight 75 

know my name, and request me as courteous 
knight to help you, I will do what I may to get 
your hawk. And yet truly I am an ill climber, 
and the tree is passing high, with few boughs to 
cling to” 

Thereupon Sir Launcelot alighted, and tied his 
horse to the elm. Then the lady helped him to 
unarm, and with might and force he climbed up 
to the falcon. He tied the lines to a great rotten 
branch, brake it off, and threw it and the hawk 
down. Anon the lady gat the hawk in her hand, 
and thereupon came Sir Phelot suddenly out of 
the grove, all armed and with his naked sword in 
his hand. He called up to Sir Launcelot and 
said, “ O knight, now have I found thee as I 
would ; ” and he stood at the foot of the tree to 
slay him 

“ Ah lady,” said Sir Launcelot, “ why have ye 
betrayed me ? ” 

“ She hath done,” said Sir Phelot, “ but as I 
commanded her ; there is no help for it ; thine 
hour is come, and thou must die.” 

“ It were shame unto thee,” said Sir Laun- 
celot, “ for thee, an armed knight, to slay an un- 
armed man by treason.” 

“ Thou gettest no other grace,” said Sir Phelot; 
** therefore help thyself if thou canst.” 


76 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “ that ever knight 
should die weaponless.” 

Then he looked above and below him, and 
saw a big leafless bough. This he brake off ; 
then he climbed down with it in his hand, and, 
observing how his horse stood, he suddenly 
leaped down to the ground on the farther side of 
the horse from the knight. 

Then Sir Phelot lashed at him eagerly, think- 
ing to slay him. But Sir Launcelot put away 
the stroke with the branch, and then with it gave 
Sir Phelot such a blow on one side of the head 
that he fell down in a swoon to the ground. 
Then Sir Launcelot took his sword out of his 
hand and struck his head from his body. 

“ Alas,” cried the lady, “ why hast thou slain 
my husband ? ” 

“ I am not the cause,” said Sir Launcelot, “ for 
with falsehood ye would have slain me by trea- 
son, and now it is fallen on you both.” 

Thereupon Sir Launcelot gat all his armor as 
well as he might, and put it on for fear of further 
attack, since the knight’s castle was so near. As 
soon as he might he took his horse, and, thank- 
ing God that he had escaped that adventure, he 
went on his adventures over many wild ways, 
through marsh and valley and forest. 


77 


The Knight 

At Pentecost he returned home, and the King 
and all the court were passing glad of his com- 
ing. And ever now and now came all the 
knights back, those that had encountered with 
Sir Launcelot, those that he had set free from 
prison, and all those that knew of his great deeds 
of arms. And they all bare record of Sir Laun- 
celot’s prowess, so at that time he had the great- 
est name of any knight of the world, and most 
he was honored of high and low. 


CHAPTER XIV 


HOW A KITCHEN-PAGE CAME TO HONOR 
RTHUR was holding the high feast of 



Pentecost at a city and castle called in 


JL those days Kink-Kenadon, upon the 
sands nigh Wales, and he sat at meat with all the 
knights of the Round Table. Then came into 
the hall two men well beseen and richly, and 
upon their shoulders there leaned the goodliest 
young man and the fairest that ever any of the 
knights had seen. He was higher than the other 
two by a foot and a half, broad in the shoulders, 
well visaged, and the fairest and largest handed 
that ever man saw ; but he acted as though he 
might not walk nor support himself unless he 
leaned upon their shoulders. They went with 
him right unto the high dais without saying of 
any words. 

Then this much young man pulled himself 
away, and easily stretched up straight, saying : 
“ King Arthur, God you bless and all your 
fair fellowship of the Round Table. For this 
cause I am come hither, to pray you to give 


A Kitchen-Page 


79 


me three gifts. They shall not be so unreasona- 
ble but that ye may honorably grant them me, 
and to you no great hurt nor loss. The first I 
will ask now, and the other two gifts I will ask 
this day twelvemonth wheresoever ye hold your 
high feast.” 

Now ask,” said Arthur, “ and ye shall have 
your asking.” 

“Now, sir, this is my petition for this feast, 
that you will give me meat and drink suffi- 
ciently for this twelvemonth, and at that day 
I will ask mine other two gifts.” 

“ This is but a simple asking,” said the King ; 
“ ye shall have meat and drink enough ; I never 
refuse that to any, neither my friend nor my foe. 
But what is your name I would know ? ” 

“ I cannot tell you,” said he. 

The King marveled at this answer, but took 
him to Sir Kay, the steward, and charged him 
that he should give the youth of all manner of 
meats and drinks of the best, and also that he 
should have all manner of finding as though he 
were a lord’s son. 

“ That need not be,” said Sir Kay, “ to do such 
cost upon him ; for I dare undertake he is a vil- 
lain born, and never will make a man, for had he 
come of gentlemen he would have asked of you 


80 Stories of King Arthur 

horse and armor ; but such as he is, so he 
asketh. And since he hath no name, I shall give 
him the name Beaumains, that is Fair-hands, and 
into the kitchen I shall bring him, and there he 
shall have rich broth every day, so that he shall 
be as fat by the twelvemonth’s end as a pork 
hog.” 

So the two men departed, and left him to Sir 
Kay, who scorned him and mocked him. Thereat 
was Sir Gawaine wroth, and especially Sir Laun- 
celot bade Sir Kay leave off his mocking, “ for,” 
said he, “ I dare wager he shall prove a man of 
great honor.” 

“ It may not be by any reason,” said Sir Kay, 
“ for as he is, so hath he asked.” 

So Sir Kay ordered that a place be made for 
him, and Fair-hands went to the hall door, and 
sat down among boys and lads, and there he ate 
sadly. After meat Sir Launcelot bade him come 
to his chamber, where he should have meat and 
drink enough, and so did Sir Gawaine ; but he 
refused them all ; he would do none other but as 
Sir Kay commanded him. As touching Sir 
Gawaine, he had reason to proffer him lodging, 
meat, and drink, for he was nearer kin to him 
than he knew. But what Sir Launcelot did was 
of his great gentleness and courtesy. 


A Kitchen-Page 81 

Thus Fair-hands was put into the kitchen, and 
lay nightly as the boys of the kitchen did. And 
so he endured all that twelvemonth, and never 
displeased man nor child, but always he was 
meek and mild. But ever when there was any 
jousting of knights, that would he see if he 
could. And where were any masteries done, 
thereat would he be, and there might none cast 
bar nor stone to him by two yards. Then would 
Sir Kay say, “ How like you my boy of the 
kitchen ? ” 

So it passed on till the feast of Whitsuntide, 
which at that time the King held at Carlion in the 
most royal wise that might be, as he did every 
year. As he again sat at meat, there came a 
damsel into the hall and saluted the King, and 
prayed him for succor. “ For whom ? ” said the 
King ; “ what is the adventure ? ” 

“ Sir,” she said, “ I have a lady of great honor 
and renown, and she is besieged by a tyrant so 
that she may not out of her castle. And be- 
cause your knights are called the noblest of the 
world, I come to you to pray you for succor.” 

“ What is the name of your lady ? and where 
dwelleth she ? and who is he, and what is his 
name, that hath besieged her? ” 

“ Sir King,” she said, “ as for my lady’s name, 


82 Stories of King Arthur 

that shall not ye know from me at this time, but 
I let you know she is a lady of great honor and 
of great lands. And as for the tyrant that be- 
siegeth her and destroyeth her lands, he is called 
the Red Knight of the Red Lawns.” 

“ I know him not,” said the King. 

“ Sir,” said Sir Gawaine, “ I know him well, 
for he is one of the most dangerous knights of 
the world. Men say that he hath seven men’s 
strength, and from him I escaped once full hard 
with my life.” 

“ Fair damsel,” said the King, “ there be knights 
here would do their best to rescue your lady, but 
because ye will not tell her name, nor where she 
dwelleth, therefore none of my knights that be 
here now shall go with you by my will.” 

“ Then must I speak further,” said the 
damsel. 

With these words Fair-hands came before 
the King, while the damsel was there, and thus he 
said : “ Sir King, God reward you, I have been 

these twelve months in your kitchen, and have 
had my full sustenance, and now I will ask my 
two gifts that be behind.” 

“ Ask upon my peril,” said the King. 

“ Sir, these shall be my two gifts. First, that 
ye will grant me this adventure of the damsel, 


A Kitchen-Page 83 

and second, that ye shall bid Launcelot of the 
Lake to make me knight, for of him I will be 
made knight, and else of none. I pray you let 
him ride after me, and make me knight when I 
request him.” 

“ All this shall be done,” said the King. 

“ Fie on thee,” said the damsel, “ shall I have 
none but one that is your kitchen page ? ” Then 
was she wroth, and took her horse and departed. 

Thereupon there came one to Fair-hands, and 
told him that his horse and armor was come for 
him, with all things that he needed in the richest 
manner. Thereat all the court had much marvel 
from whence came all that gear. When he was 
armed and came into the hall to take leave of 
King Arthur and Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot, 
there were but few so goodly knights as he was. 
He prayed Sir Launcelot that he would hie after 
him, and so departed and rode after the damsel. 

Many people followed after Fair-hands to be- 
hold how well he was horsed and trapped in 
cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear. 
Then Sir Kay said all openly in the hall, “ I will 
ride after my boy of the kitchen, to see whether 
he will know me for his better.” 

Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine counseled him 
to abide at home ; nevertheless he made ready and 


84 Stories of King Arthur 

took his horse and his spear and rode off. Just 
as Fair-hands overtook the damsel, Sir Kay 
came up, and said, “ Fair-hands, what sir, know 
ye not me ? ” 

Then he turned his horse, and knew it was Sir 
Kay, that had done him all the despite, as we 
have heard afore. “ Yea,” said Fair-hands, “ I 
know you for an ungentle knight of the court 
and therefore beware of me.” 

Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in its rest, and 
ran straight upon him, and Fair-hands came on 
just as fast with his sword in his hand. And so 
he put away his spear with his sword, and with a 
foin thrust him through the side, so that Sir Kay 
fell down as if he were dead. Then Fair-hands 
alighted down and took Sir Kay’s shield and his 
spear, had his dwarf mount upon Sir Kay’s horse, 
and started upon his own horse and rode his way. 
All this Sir Launcelot saw, and so did the damsel. 

By this time Sir Launcelot had come up, and 
Fair-hands offered to joust with him. So they 
rushed together like boars, and for upwards of an 
hour they had a hard fight, wherein Sir Launce- 
lot had so much ado with Fair-hands that he 
feared himself to be shamed. At length he said, 
“ Fair-hands, fight not so sore ; your quarrel and 
mine is not so great but we may leave off” 


A Kitchen-Page 


85 

“ That is truth/’ said Fair-hands, “ but it doth 
me good to feel your might, and yet, my lord, I 
showed not my uttermost.” 

“ Well,” said Sir Launcelot, “ I promise you I 
had as much to do as I might to save myself from 
you unshamed ; therefore ye need have no fear 
of any earthly knight.” 

“ Hope ye then,” said Fair-hands, “ that I may 
anywhere stand as a proved knight ? ” 

“ Yea,” said Launcelot, “ do as ye have done, 
and I shall be your warrant.” 

“ Then I pray you give me the order of knight- 
hood,” said Fair-hands. 

“ Then must ye tell me your name,” said 
Launcelot, “ and of what kin ye be born.” 

“ Sir, if ye will not make me known, I will,” 
said Fair-hands. 

“ That I promise you by the faith of my body, 
until it be openly known,” said Sir Launcelot. 

“ Then, sir,” he said, “ my name is Gareth ; I 
am own brother unto Sir Gawaine.” 

“ Ah ! sir,” said Launcelot, “ I am more glad 
of you than I was, for ever me thought ye 
should be of great blood, and that ye came not 
to the court either for meat or for drink.” 

Then Sir Launcelot gave him the order of 
knighthood, and Sir Gareth went his way. 


86 Stories of King Arthur 

Sir Launcelot now came to Sir Kay and had 
him carried home upon his shield. He was with 
difficulty healed of his wounds, and all men 
scorned him. In especial Sir Gawaine and Sir 
Launcetbt said it was not for Sir Kay to rebuke 
the young man, for full little he knew of what 
birth he was and for what cause he came to this 
court. 


CHAPTER XV 


HOW SIR GARETH FOUGHT FOR THE LADY 
OF CASTLE PERILOUS 

FTER the damsel rode Fair-hands, now 



well provided with shield and spear, and 


JL JL known to Sir Launcelot, at least, as Sir 
Gareth and nephew to King Arthur. When he 
had overtaken the damsel, anon she said : “ What 
dost thou here ? Thou smellest all of the kitchen ; 
thy clothes be foul with the grease and tallow 
that thou gainedst in King Arthur’s kitchen ; 
therefore turn again, foul kitchen page. I know 
thee well, for Sir Kay named thee Fair-hands. 
What art thou but a lubber and a turner of spits, 
and a ladle washer ? ” 

“ Damsel,” said Fair-hands, “ say to me what 
ye will, I will not go from you, for I have under- 
taken, in King Arthur’s presence, to achieve your 
adventure, and so shall I finish it, or I shall die 
therefor.” 

Thus as they rode along in the wood, there 
came a man flying all that ever he might. 
“ Whither wilt thou ? ” said Fair-hands. 


88 Stories of King Arthur 

“ O lord,” he said, “ help me, for yonder in a 
dell are six thieves that have taken my lord and 
bound him, and I am afeard lest they will slay 
him.” 

So Fair-hands rode with the man until they 
came to where the knight lay bound, and the 
thieves hard by. Fair-hands struck one unto the 
death, and then another, and at the third stroke 
he slew the third thief ; and then the other three 
fled. He rode after them and overtook them, 
and then those three thieves turned again and 
assailed Fair-hands hard, but at the last he slew 
them also, and returned and unbound the knight. 
The knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride 
with him to his castle there a little beside, and he 
should honorably reward him for his good 
deeds. 

“ Sir,” said Fair-hands, “ I will no reward have 
except as God reward me. And also I must 
follow this damsel.” 

When he came nigh her, she bade him ride from 
her, “ for,” said she, “ thou smeflest all of the 
kitchen; thinkest thou that I have joy of thee? 
All this deed thou hast done is but mishapped 
thee, but thou shalt see a sight that shall make 
thee turn again, and that lightly.” 

Then the same knight who was rescued from 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 89 

the thieves rode after that damsel, and prayed her 
to lodge with him that night. And because it 
was near night the damsel rode with him to the 
castle, and there they had great cheer. At supper 
the knight set Sir Fair-hands afore the damsel. 

“ Fie, fie,” said she, “ sir knight, ye are un- 
courteous to set a kitchen-page afore me ; him be- 
seemeth better to stick a swine than to sit afore a 
damsel of high parentage.” 

Then the knight was ashamed at her words, 
and took Fair-hands up and set him at a side- 
board, and seated himself afore him. So all that 
night they had good cheer and merry rest. 

On the morn the damsel and Fair-hands 
thanked the knight and took their leave, and rode 
on their way until they came to a great forest. 
Therein was a great river with but one passage, 
and there were ready two knights on the further 
side, to prevent their crossing. Fair-hands would 
not have turned back had there been six more, 
and he rushed into the water. One of the two 
encountered with him in the midst of the stream, 
and both spears were broken. Then they drew 
their swords and smote eagerly at one another. 
At the last Sir Fair-hands smote the other upon 
the helm so that he fell down stunned in the 
water, and there was he drowned. Then Sir 


9 o 


Stories of King Arthur 

Fair-hands spurred his horse upon the land, 
where the other fell upon him, and they fought 
long together. At the last Sir Fair-hands clove 
his helm and his head, and so rode unto the 
damsel and bade her ride forth on her way. 

“Alas,” she said, “ that ever a kitchen-page 
should have that fortune to destroy two such 
doughty knights. Thou thinkest thou hast done 
doughtily, but that is not so, for the first knight’s 
horse stumbled, and so he was drowned in the 
water; it was never by thy force or by thy 
might. And as for the second knight, by mis- 
hap thou earnest behind him and slewest him.” 

“ Damsel,” said Fair-hands, “ ye may say what 
ye will, but whomsoever I have ado with I trust 
to God to serve him ere he depart, and therefore 
I reck not what ye say, provided I may win your 
lady.” 

“ Fie, fie, foul kitchen knave, thou shalt see 
knights that shall abate thy boast. I see all 
that ever thou doest is but by misadventure, and 
not by prowess of thy hands.” 

“ Fair damsel,” said he, “ give me goodly lan- 
guage, and then my care is past. Ye may say 
what ye will ; what knights soever I shall meet, I 
fear them not, and wheresoever ye go I will fol- 
low you.” 


The Lady of Castle Perilous gi 

So they rode on till even-song time, and ever 
she chid him and would not cease. And then 
they came to a black lawn, and there was a black 
hawthorn, and thereon hung a black banner, and 
on the other side there hung a black shield, and 
by it stood a black spear great and long, and a 
great black horse covered with silk, and a black 
stone fast by, whereon sat a knight all armed in 
black harness, and his name was the Knight of the 
Black Lawns. 

The damsel, when she saw this knight, bade 
Fair-hands flee down the valley. “ Gramercy,” 
said he, “ always ye would have me a coward.” 

With that the Black Knight, when she came 
nigh him, spake and said, “ Damsel, have ye 
brought this knight of King Arthur to be your 
champion ? ” 

“Nay, fair knight,” said she, “this is but a 
kitchen-knave, that was fed in King Arthur’s 
kitchen for alms. I cannot be rid of him, for with 
me he rideth against my will. Would that ye 
should put him from me, or else slay him, if ye 
may, for he is a troublesome knave, and evilly he 
hath done this day.” 

« Thus much shall I grant you,” said the Black 
Knight : “ I shall put him down upon one foot, 
and his horse and his harness he shall leave with 


92 Stories of King Arthur 

me, for it were shame to me to do him any more 
harm.” 

When Sir Fair-hands heard him say thus, he 
said, “ Sir Knight, thou art full generous with my 
horse and my harness ; I let thee know it cost 
thee naught, and whether thou like it or not, this 
lawn will I pass, and neither horse nor harness 
gettest thou of me, except as thou win them with 
thy hands. I am no kitchen-page, as the damsel 
saith I am ; I am a gentleman born, and of more 
high lineage than thou, and that will I prove on 
thy body.” 

Then in great wrath they drew back with their 
horses, and rushed together as it had been the 
thunder. The Black Knight’s spear brake, and 
Fair-hands thrust him through both his sides, 
whereupon his own spear brake also. Neverthe- 
less the Black Knight drew his sword and smote 
many eager strokes of great might, and hurt Fair- 
hands full sore. But at the last he fell down off 
his horse in a swoon, and there he died. 

When Fair-hands saw that the Black Knight 
had been so well horsed and armed, he alighted 
down and armed himself in the dead man’s 
armor, took his horse, and rode after the damsel. 
When she saw him come nigh, she said, “ Away 
kitchen-knave, out of the wind, for the smell of 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 93 

thy foul clothes ofifendeth me. Alas that ever 
such a knave as thou art should by mishap slay 
so good a knight as thou hast done. All this is 
my ill luck, but hard by is one that shall requite 
thee, and therefore again I counsel thee, flee.” 

“ It may be my lot,” said Fair-hands, “ to be 
beaten or slain, but I warn you, fair damsel, I 
will not flee away or leave your company for all 
that ye can say, for ever ye say that they will kill 
me or beat me, yet it happeneth that I escape 
and they lie on the ground. Therefore it were 
as good for you to stop thus all day rebuking 
me, for away will I not till I see the uttermost of 
this journey, or else I will be slain or truly beaten ; 
therefore ride on your way, for follow you I will, 
whatsoever happen.” 

As they rode along together they saw a knight 
come driving by them all in green, both his horse 
and his harness ; and when he came nigh the 
damsel he asked her, “ Is that my brother the 
Black Knight that ye have brought with you ? ” 

“ Nay, nay,” said she, “ this unlucky kitchen- 
knave hath slain your brother through mischance.” 

“ Alas,” said the Green Knight, “ that is great 
pity that so noble a knight as he was should so 
unfortunately be slain, and by a knave’s hand, as 
ye say that he is. Ah ! traitor, thou shalt die 


94 Stories of King Arthur 

for slaying my brother ; he was a full noble 
knight.” 

“ I defy thee,” said Fair-hands, “ for I make 
known to thee I slew him knightly and not 
shamefully.” 

Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto a 
horn that was green that hung on a green thorn, 
and there he blew three deadly notes, whereupon 
came two damsels and armed him lightly. Then 
he took a great horse and a green shield and a 
green spear, and the two knights ran together 
with all their mights. They brake their spears 
unto their hands, and then drew their swords. 
Now they gave many sad strokes, and either of 
them wounded other full ill. 

At the last at an overthwart Fair-hands’ horse 
struck the Green Knight’s horse upon the side, 
and fell to the earth. Then the Green Knight 
left his horse lightly, and prepared to fight on 
foot. That saw Fair-hands, and therewithal he 
alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty 
champions a long while, and sore they bled 
both. 

With that came the damsel and said, “ My lord, 
the Green Knight, why for shame stand ye so 
long fighting with the kitchen-knave ? Alas, it 
is shame that ever ye were made knight, to see 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 95 

such a lad match such a knight, as if the weed 
overgrew the corn.” 

Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, 
and gave a great stroke of might, and clave Fair- 
hands’ shield through. When the young knight 
saw his shield cloven asunder he was a little 
ashamed of that stroke and of her language, and 
then he gave the other such a buffet upon the 
helm that he fell on his knees, and Fair-hands 
quickly pulled him upon the ground grovelling. 
Then the Green Knight cried for mercy, and 
yielded himself unto Sir Fair-hands, and prayed 
him to slay him not. 

“ All is in vain,” said Fair-hands, “ for thou shalt 
die unless this damsel that came with me pray 
me to save thy life.” 

Therewithal he unlaced his helm as if to slay 
him. “ Let be,” said the damsel, “ thou foul 
kitchen-knave, slay him not, for if thou do, thou 
shalt repent it.” 

“ Damsel,” said Fair-hands, “ your charge is to 
me a pleasure, and at your commandment his life 
shall be saved, and else not. Sir Knight with the 
green arms, I release thee quit at this damsel’s 
request, for I will not make her wroth ; I will 
fulfill all that she chargeth me.” 

And then the Green Knight kneeled down and 


96 Stories of King Arthur 

did him homage with his sword, promising for- 
ever to become his man together with thirty 
knights that held of him. Then said the damsel, 
“ Me repenteth, Green Knight, of your damage 
and of the death of your brother the Black 
Knight ; of your help I had great need, for I fear 
me sore to pass this forest.” 

“ Nay, fear ye not,” said the Green Knight, 
“ for ye shall lodge with me this night, and to 
morn I shall help you through this forest.” 

So they took their horses and rode to his 
manor, which was fast there beside. And ever 
the damsel rebuked Fair-hands, and would not 
suffer him to sit at her table. But the Green 
Knight took him and set him at a side table, and 
did him honor, for he saw that he was come 
of noble blood and had proved himself a full 
noble knight. All that night he commanded 
thirty men privily to watch Fair-hands for to 
keep him from all treason. And on the morn 
they arose, and after breaking their fast they 
took their horses and rode on their way. 

As the Green Knight conveyed them through 
the forest he said, “ My lord Fair-hands, I and 
these thirty knights shall be alway at your sum- 
mons, both early and late at your call wherever 
ye will send us.” 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 97 

“ It is well,” said Fair-hands ; “ when I call upon 
you ye must go unto King Arthur with all your 
knights.” 

So the Green Knight took his leave, and the 
damsel said unto Fair-hands, “ Why followest 
thou me, thou kitchen-boy ; cast away thy 
shield and thy spear and flee, for thou shalt 
not pass a pass here, that is called the Pass 
Perilous.” 

“ Damsel,” said Fair-hands, “ who is afraid let 
him flee, for it were shame to turn again since I 
have ridden so long with you.” 

“ Well,” said she, “ ye shall soon, whether ye 
will or not.” 

In like manner on the next day Sir Fair-hands 
overcame a third brother, the Red Knight, and 
in like manner the damsel would have Fair-hands 
spare his life. Albeit she spake unto him many 
contemptuous words, whereof the Red Knight 
had great marvel, and all that night made three- 
score men to watch Fair-hands that he should 
have no shame or villainy. The Red Knight 
yielded himself to Fair-hands with fifty knights, 
and they all proffered him homage and fealty at 
all times to do him service. 

“ 1 thank you,” said Fair-hands ; “ this ye shall 
grant me when I call upon you, to come afore 


98 Stories of King Arthur 

my lord King Arthur and yield yourselves unto 
him to be his knights.” 

“ Sir,” said the Red Knight, “ I will be ready 
and my fellowship at your summons.” 

So again upon the morn Sir Fair-hands and 
the damsel departed, and ever she rode chiding 
him in the foulest manner. 

“ Damsel,” said Fair-hands, “ ye are uncour- 
teous so to rebuke me as ye do, for me seemeth 
I have done you good service, and ever ye 
threaten me I shall be beaten with knights that 
we meet ; but ever for all your boasts they lie in 
the dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray you 
rebuke me no more. When ye see me beaten or 
yielded as recreant, then may ye bid me go from 
you shamefully, but first I let you wit I will not 
depart from you, for I were worse than a fool if I 
should depart from you all the while that I win 
honor.” 

“ Well,” said she, “ right soon there shall come 
a knight that shall pay thee all thy wages, for he 
is the most man of honor of the world, except 
King Arthur.” 

“ The more he is of honor,” said Fair-hands, 
“ the more shall be my honor to have ado with 
him. Have no doubt, damsel, by the grace of 
God I shall so deal with this knight that within 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 99 

two hours after noon I shall overcome him, and 
then shall we come to the siege of your lady’s 
castle seven miles hence by daylight.” 

“ Marvel have I,” said the damsel, “ what man- 
ner of man ye be, for it may never be otherwise 
but that ye be come of noble blood, for so foul 
and shamefully did never woman rule a knight as 
I have done you, and ever courteously ye have 
suffered me, and that came never but of gentle 
blood.” 

“ Damsel,” said Fair-hands, “ a knight may little 
do that may not suffer a damsel, for whatsoever 
ye said unto me I took no heed to your words, 
for the more ye said the more ye angered me, 
and my wrath I wreaked upon them that I had 
ado withal. And therefore all the missaying 
that ye missaid me furthered me in my battle, and 
caused me to think to show and prove myself 
at the end what I was. For peradventure, though 
I had meat in King Arthur’s kitchen, yet I might 
have had meat enough in other places. All that 
I did to prove and to assay my friends, and 
whether I be a gentleman born or not, I let you 
wit, fair damsel, I have done you gentleman’s 
service, and peradventure better service yet will 
I do ere I depart from you.” 

“ Alas,” she said, “ good Fair-hands, forgive 


L.ofC. 


•loo Stories of King Arthur 

me all that I have missaid or done against 
thee.” 

“ With all my heart/' said he, “ I forgive it 
you, and damsel, since it liketh you to say thus 
fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth mine heart 
greatly, and now me seemeth there is no knight 
living but I am able enough for him." 

With this Sir Persant of Inde, the fourth of the 
brethren that stood in Fair-hands’ way to the 
siege, espied them as they came upon the fair 
meadow where his pavilion was. Sir Persant was 
the most lordly knight that ever thou lookedst 
on. His pavilion and all manner of thing that 
there is about, men and women, and horses’ trap- 
pings, shields and spears were all of dark blue 
color. Anon he and Fair-hands prepared them- 
selves and rode against one another that both 
their spears were shattered to pieces, and their 
horses fell dead to the earth. Then they fought 
two hours and more on foot, until their armor 
was all hewn to pieces, and in many places they 
were wounded. At the last, though loath to do 
it, Fair-hands smote Sir Persant above upon the 
helm so that he fell grovelling to the earth, and 
the fierce battle was at an end. Like his three 
brethren before, Sir Persant yielded himself and 
asked for mercy, and at the damsel’s request 


The Lady of Castle Perilous ioi 

Fair-hands gladly granted his life, and received 
homage and fealty from him and a hundred 
knights, to be always at his commandment. 

On the morn as the damsel and Sir Fair-hands 
departed from Sir Persant’s pavilion, “ Fair dam- 
sel,” said Persant, “ whitherward are ye away 
leading this knight ? ” 

“ Sir,” she said, “ this knight is going to the siege 
that besiegeth my sister in the Castle Perilous.” 

“ Ah, ah,” said Persant, “ that is the Knight 
of the Red Lawns, the most perilous knight that 
I know now living, a man that is without mercy, 
and men say that he hath seven men’s strength. 
God save you, sir, from that knight, for he doth 
great wrong to that lady, which is great pity, for 
she is one of the fairest ladies of the world, and 
me seemeth that this damsel is her sister. Is not 
your name Linet ? ” 

“ Yea, sir,” said she, “ and my lady my sister’s 
name is Dame Liones. Now, my lord Sir Per- 
sant of Inde, I request you that ye make this 
gentleman knight or ever he fight with the Red 
Knight.” 

“ I will with all my heart,” said Sir Persant, 
“ if it please him to take the order of knighthood 
of so simple a man as I am.” 

But Fair-hands thanked him for his good will, 


102 


Stories of King Arthur 

and told him he was better sped, as the noble 
Sir Launcelot had already made him knight. 
Then, after Persant and the damsel had promised 
to keep it close, he told them his real name was 
Gareth of Orkney, King Arthur’s nephew, and 
that Sir Gawaine and Sir Agravaine and Sir 
Gaheris were all his brethren, he being the young- 
est of them all. “ And yet,” said he, “ wot not 
King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine what I am.” 

The book saith that the lady that was besieged 
had word of her sister’s coming and a knight 
with' her, and how he had passed all the perilous 
passages, had won all the four brethren, and had 
slain the Black Knight, and how he overthrew 
Sir Kay, and did great battle with Sir Launcelot, 
and was made knight by him. She was glad of 
these tidings, and sent them wine and dainty 
foods and bade Sir Fair-hands be of good heart 
and good courage. 

The next day Fair-hands and Linet took their 
horses again and rode through a fair forest and 
came to a spot where they saw across the plain 
many pavilions and a fair castle and much smoke. 
And when they came near the siege Sir Fair- 
hands espied upon great trees, as he rode, how 
there hung goodly armed knights by the necks, 
nigh forty of them, their shields about their 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 103 

necks with their swords. These were knights 
that had come to the siege to rescue Dame 
Liones, and had been overcome and put to this 
shameful death by the Red Knight of the Red 
Lawns. 

Then they rode to the dikes, and saw how 
strong were the defenses, and many great lords 
nigh the walls, and the sea upon the one side of 
the walls, where were many ships and mariners' 
noise, with “ hale ” and “ ho.” Fast by there was 
a sycamore tree, whereupon hung a horn, the 
greatest that ever they saw, of an elephant’s bone. 
This the Knight of the Red Lawns had hung up 
there that any errant knight might blow it, if he 
wished the Knight of the Red Lawns to come to 
him to do battle. The damsel Linet besought 
Fair-hands not to blow the horn till high noon, 
for the Red Knight’s might grew greater all 
through the morn till, as men said, he had seven 
men’s strength. 

“ Ah, fie for shame, fair damsel,” said Fair- 
hands, “ say ye never so more to me, for, were he 
as good a knight as ever was, I shall never fail 
him in his most might, for either I will win honor 
honorably, or die knightly in the field.” 

Therewith he spurred his horse straight to 
the sycamore tree, and blew the horn so eagerly 


104 Stories of King Arthur 

that all the siege and all the castle rang thereof 
And then there leaped out knights out of their 
tents, and they within the castle looked over the 
walls and out at windows. Then the Red 
Knight of the Red Lawns armed himself hastily, 
and two barons set his spurs upon his heels, and 
all was blood red, — his armor, spear, and shield. 
And an earl buckled his helm upon his head, and 
then they brought him a red steed, and so he 
rode into a little vale under the castle, that all 
that were in the castle and at the siege might be- 
hold the battle. 

Sir Fair-hands looked up at a window of the 
castle, and there he saw the Lady Liones, the fair- 
est lady, it seemed to him, that ever he looked 
upon. She made courtesy down to him, and 
ever he looked up to the window with glad 
countenance, and loved her from that time and 
vowed to rescue her or else to die. 

“ Leave, Sir Knight, thy looking,” said the 
Red Knight, “ and behold me, I counsel thee, and 
make thee ready.” 

Then they both put their spears in their rests, 
and came together with all the might that they 
had. Either smote other in the midst of the 
shield with such force that the breastplates, horse- 
girths, and cruppers brake, and both fell to the 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 105 

earth stunned, and lay so long that all they that 
were in the castle and in the siege thought their 
necks had been broken. But at length they put 
their shields afore them, drew their swords, and 
ran together like two fierce lions. Either gave 
other such buffets upon the helm that they 
reeled backward ; then they recovered both, and 
hewed off great pieces of their harness and their 
shields. 

Thus they fought till it was past noon, and 
never would stint, till at last they lacked wind 
both, and stood panting and blowing a while. 
Then they went to battle again, and thus they 
endured till evensong time, and none that beheld 
them might know whether was like to win. 
Then by assent of them both, they granted either 
other to rest ; and so they sat down on two mole- 
hills, and unlaced their helms to take the cool 
wind. Then Sir Fair-hands looked up at the 
window, and there he saw the fair lady, Dame 
Liones. She made him such countenance that 
his heart waxed light and jolly ; and therewith 
he bade the Red Knight of the Red Lawns make 
ready to do battle to the uttermost. 

So they laced up their helms and fought 
freshly. By a cross stroke the Red Knight of 
the Red Lawns smote Sir Fair-hands’ sword 


106 Stories of King Arthur 

from him, and then gave him another buffet on 
the helm so that he fell groveling to the earth, 
and the Red Knight fell upon him to hold him 
down. Then Linet cried to him aloud and said 
that the lady beheld and wept. When Sir Fair- 
hands heard her say so he started up with great 
might, gat upon his feet, and leaped to his sword. 
He griped it in his hand, doubled his pace unto 
the Red Knight, and there they fought a new 
battle together. 

Now Sir Fair-hands doubled his strokes and 
smote so thick that soon he had the better of the 
Red Knight of the Red Lawns, and unlaced his 
helm to slay him, whereupon he yielded himself 
to Fair-hands’ mercy. 

Sir Fair-hands bethought him upon the 
knights that he had made to be hanged shame- 
fully, and said, “ I may not with my honor save 
thy life.” 

Then came there many earls and barons and 
noble knights, and prayed Fair-hands to save his 
life and take him as prisoner. Then he released 
him upon this covenant that he go within to 
the castle and yield himself there to the lady, and 
if she would forgive him he might have his life 
with making amends to the lady of all the trespass 
he had done against her and her lands. 


The Lady of Castle Perilous 107 

The Red Knight of the Red Lawns promised 
to do as Sir Fair-hands commanded and so with 
all those earls and barons he made his homage 
and fealty to him. Within a while he went unto 
the castle, where he made peace with the Lady 
Liones, and departed unto the court of King 
Arthur. There he told openly how he was over- 
come and by whom, and also he told all the 
battles of Fair-hands from the beginning unto 
the ending. 

“ Mercy,” said King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, 
“ we marvel much of what blood he is come, for 
he is a noble knight.” But Sir Launcelot had 
no marvel, for he knew whence he came, yet be- 
cause of his promise he would not discover Fair- 
hands until he permitted it or else it were known 
openly by some other. 

Dame Liones soon learned through her brother 
Sir Gringamore that the knight who had wrought 
her deliverance was a king’s son, Sir Gareth of 
Orkney, and nephew of King Arthur himself. 
And she made him passing good cheer, and he her 
again, and they had goodly language and lovely 
countenance together. And she promised the 
noble knight Sir Gareth certainly to love him 
and none other the days of her life. Then there 
was not a gladder man than he, for ever since he 


108 Stories of King Arthur 

saw her at the window of Castle Perilous he had 
so burned in love for her that he was nigh past 
himself in his reason. 


CHAPTER XVI 


HOW SIR GARETH RETURNED TO THE 
COURT OF KING ARTHUR 

N OW leave we Sir Gareth there with Sir 
Gringamore and his sisters, Liones and 
Linet, and turn we unto King Arthur 
that held the next feast of Pentecost at Carlion. 
And there came the Green Knight with his fifty- 
knights, and they yielded themselves all unto 
King Arthur. And so there came the Red 
Knight, his brother, and yielded himself and 
threescore knights with him. Also there came 
the Blue Knight, brother to them, and his hun- 
dred knights, and yielded themselves. These 
three brethren told King Arthur how they were 
overcome by a knight that a damsel had with her, 
and called him Fair-hands. Also they told how 
the fourth brother, the Black Knight, was slain 
in an encounter with Sir Fair-hands, and of the 
adventure with the two brethren that kept the 
passage of the water; and ever more King 
Arthur marveled who the knight might be that 
109 


1 io 


Stories of King Arthur 

was in his kitchen a twelvemonth and that Sir 
Kay in scorn named Fair-hands. 

Right as the King stood so talking with these 
three brethren there came Sir Launcelot of the 
Lake and told him that there was come a goodly 
lord with six hundred knights. The King went 
out, and there came to him and saluted him in a 
goodly manner the Red Knight of the Red Lawns, 
and he said, “ I am sent to you by a knight that is 
called Fair-hands, for he won me in plain battle, 
hand for hand. No knight has ever had the better 
of me before. I and my knights yield ourselves 
to your will, as he commanded, to do you such 
service as may be in our power.” 

King Arthur received him courteously, as he 
had before received the three brethren, and he 
promised to do them honor for the love of Sir 
Fair-hands. Then the King and they went to 
meat, and were served in the best manner. 

And as they sat at the table, there came in the 
Queen of Orkney, with ladies and knights a great 
number. And her sons, Sir Gawaine, Sir Agra- 
vaine, and Gaheris arose and went to her, and 
saluted her upon their knees and asked her 
blessing, for in fifteen years they had not seen 
her. 

Then she spake on high to her brother, King 


The Court of King Arthur 1 1 1 

Arthur, “ Where have ye done my young son, 
Sir Gareth ? He was here amongst you a twelve- 
month, and ye made a kitchen-knave of him, 
which is shame to you all.” 

“ Oh dear mother,” said Sir Gawaine, “ I knew 
him not.” 

“ Nor I,” said the King; “ but thanked be God, 
he is proved an honorable knight as any of his 
years now living, and I shall never be glad till I 
may find him. Sister, me seemeth ye might have 
done me to know of his coming, and then, had I 
not done well to him, ye might have blamed me. 
For when he came to this court, he came leaning 
upon two men’s shoulders, as though he might 
not walk. And then he asked of me three gifts, 
— one the same day, that was that I would give 
him meat for that twelvemonth. The other two 
gifts he asked that day a twelvemonth, and those 
were that he might have the adventure of the 
damsel Linet, and that Sir Launcelot should 
make him knight when he desired him. I granted 
him all his desire, and many in this court mar- 
veled that he desired his sustenance for a 
twelvemonth, and thereby deemed many of us 
that he was not come of a noble house.” 

“ Sir,” said the Queen of Orkney unto King 
Arthur, her brother, “ I sent him unto you right 


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Stories of King Arthur 

well armed and horsed, and gold and silver 
plenty to spend.” 

“ It may be,” said the King, “ but thereof saw 
we none, save that same day as he departed from 
us, knights told me that there came a dwarf 
hither suddenly, and brought him armor and a 
good horse, full well and richly beseen, and 
thereat we had all marvel from whence that riches 
came. Then we deemed all that he was come of 
men of honor.” 

“ Brother,” said the queen, “ all that ye say I 
believe, for ever since he was grown he was 
marvelously witted, and ever he was faithful and 
true to his promise. But I marvel that Sir Kay 
did mock him and scorn him, and give him the 
name Fair-hands. Yet Sir Kay named him more 
justly than he knew, for I dare say, if he be alive, 
he is as fair-handed a man and as well disposed 
as any living.” 

“ Sister,” said Arthur, “ by the grace of God 
he shall be found if he be within these seven 
realms. Meanwhile let us be merry, for he is 
proved to be a man of honor, and that is my 
joy.” 

So then goodly letters were made and a mes- 
senger sent forth to the Lady Liones, praying her 
to give best counsel where Sir Gareth might be 


The Court of King Arthur 113 

found. She answered that she could not then 
tell where he was ; but she let proclaim a great 
tournament at her castle, and was sure that Sir 
Gareth would be heard of there. So King 
Arthur and all his knights of valor and prowess 
came together at the Lady Liones’ castle by the 
Isle of Avilion, and great deeds of arms were 
done there, but most of all Sir Gareth gained 
honor, though no one knew that it was he until 
a herald rode near him and saw his name written 
about his helm. 

Wit ye well the King made great joy when he 
found Sir Gareth again, and ever he wept as he 
had been a child. With that came his mother, 
the Queen of Orkney, and when she saw Sir 
Gareth really face to face she suddenly fell down 
in a swoon. Then Sir Gareth comforted his 
mother in such a wise that she recovered, and 
made good cheer. And the Lady Liones came, 
among all the ladies there named the fair- 
est and peerless. And there the King asked his 
nephew Sir Gareth whether he would have that 
lady to his wife. 

“ My lord,” said he, “ wit ye well that I love 
her above all ladies.” 

“ Now, fair lady,” said King Arthur, “ what say 
ye ? ” 


1 14 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Most noble King/* said Dame Liones, “ wit 
ye well that my Lord Sir Gareth is to me more 
dear to have and to hold as my husband than any 
king or prince that is christened, and if ye will 
suffer him to have his will and free choice, I dare 
say he will have me," 

“ That is truth,” said Sir Gareth, “ and if I have 
not you and hold not you as my wife I wed no 
lady.” 

1 “ What, nephew,” said the King, “ is the wind 
in that door ! Wit ye well I would not for the 
stint of my crown be causer to withdraw your 
hearts. Ye shall have my love and my lordship 
in the uttermost wise that may lie in my power.” 

Then was there made a provision for the day 
of marriage, and by the King’s advice it should be 
at Michaelmas following at Kink Kenadon by 
the seaside. And when the day came the 
Bishop of Canterbury made the wedding betwixt 
Sir Gareth and the Lady Liones with great 
solemnity. And at the same time Gaheris was 
wedded to Linet. 

When this solemnization was done there came 
in the Green Knight, the Red Knight, and all the 
others that had yielded themselves to Sir Gareth, 
and did homage and fealty to hold their lands of 
him forever, and desired to serve him at the feast. 


The Court of King Arthur 115 

And the kings and queens, princes, earls, and 
barons, and many bold knights went unto meat, 
and well may ye wit that there was all manner of 
meat plenteously, all manner of revels and games, 
with all manner of minstrelsy that was used in 
those days. So they held the court forty days 
with great solemnity. 

And this Sir Gareth was a noble knight, and 
a well ruled, and fair languaged. 


CHAPTER XVII 


HOW YOUNG TRISTRAM SAVED THE LIFE 
OF THE QUEEN OF LYONESSE 

T HERE was a king called Meliodas, as 
likely a knight as any living, and he 
was lord of the country of Lyonesse. 
At that time King Arthur reigned supreme over 
England, Wales, Scotland, and many other realms, 
howbeit there were many lords of countries that 
held their lands under King Arthur. So also was 
the King of France subject to him, and the King of 
Brittany, and all the lordships as far as Rome. 
The wife of this King Meliodas was a full good 
and fair lady, called Elizabeth, the sister of King 
Mark of Cornwall. Well she loved her lord, and 
he her again, and there was much joy betwixt 
them. There was a lady in that country who 
bore ill-will towards this king and queen, and 
therefore upon a day, as he rode on hunting, for 
he was a great chaser, she by an enchantment 
made him chase a hart by himself alone till he 
came to an old castle, where anon she had him 
taken prisoner. 

116 



WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL. 









The Queen of Lyonesse ] 17 

When Queen Elizabeth missed her lord she 
was nigh out of her wit, and she took a gentle- 
woman with her and ran into the forest to seek 
him. When she was far in the forest and might 
go no farther, she sank down exhausted. For 
the default of help she took cold there, and she 
soon knew that she must die. So she begged 
her gentlewoman to commend her to King 
Meliodas, and to say that she was full sorry to 
depart out of this world from him, and that their 
little child, that was to have such sorrow even in 
his infancy, should be christened Tristram. 

Therewith this queen gave up the ghost and 
died. The gentlewoman laid her under the 
shadow of a great tree, and right so there came 
the barons, following after the queen. When 
they saw that she was dead they had her carried 
home, and much dole was made for her. 

The morn after his queen died King Meliodas 
was delivered out of prison, and the sorrow he 
made for her, when he was come home, no tongue 
might tell. He had her richly interred, and 
afterwards, as she had commanded afore her 
death, had his child christened Tristram, the sor- 
rowful born child. For seven years he remained 
without a wife, and all that time young Tristram 
was nourished well. 


ll8 Stories of King Arthur 

Then, when he wedded King Howell’s daugh- 
ter of Brittany and had other children, the step- 
mother was wroth that Tristram should be heir to 
the country of Lyonesse rather than her own 
son. Wherefore this jealous queen resolved to 
become rid of her stepson, and she put poison 
into a silver cup in the chamber where Tristram 
and her children were together, intending that 
when Tristram was thirsty he should drink it. 
But it happened that the queen’s own son espied 
the cup with poison, and, because the child was 
thirsty and supposed it was good drink, he took 
of it freely. Therewithal he died suddenly, and 
when the queen wist of the death of her son, wit 
ye well that she was heavy of heart. But yet 
the king understood nothing of her treason. 

Notwithstanding all this the queen would not 
leave her jealousy, and soon had more poison put 
in a cup. By fortune King Meliodas, her hus- 
band, found the cup where was the poison, and 
being much thirsty he took it to drink thereout. 
Anon the queen espied him and ran unto him 
and pulled the cup from him suddenly. The 
king marveled why she did so, and remembered 
how her son was suddenly slain with poison. 
Then he took her by the hand, and said : “ Thou 
false traitress, thou shalt tell me what manner of 


The Queen of Lyonesse 119 

drink this is.” Therewith he pulled out his 
sword,* and swore a great oath that he should 
slay her if she told him not the truth. 

Then she told him all, and by the assent of 
the barons she was condemned to be burned as a 
traitress, according to the law. A great fire was 
made, and just as she was at the fire to take her 
execution, young Tristram kneeled afore King 
Meliodas and besought of him a boon. “ I grant 
it,” said the king, whereupon the youth de- 
manded the life of the queen, his stepmother. 

“ That is unrightfully asked,” said King Melio- 
das, “ for she would have slain thee, if she had 
had her will, and for thy sake most is my cause 
that she should die.” 

But Tristram besought his father to forgive her, 
as he himself did, and required him to hold his 
promise. Then said the king, “ Since ye will 
have it so, I give her to you ; go ye to the fire 
and take her, and do with her what ye will.” 

So Sir Tristram went to the fire, and by the 
commandment of the king delivered her from 
death. But thereafter King Meliodas would 
never have aught to do with her, though by the 
good means of young Tristram he at length for- 
gave her. Ever after in her life she never hated 
her stepson more, but loved him and had great 


120 


Stories of King Arthur 

joy of him, because he saved her from the fire. 
But the king would not suffer him to” abide 
longer at his court. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


SIR TRISTRAM’S FIRST BATTLE 

K ING MELIODAS sought out a gentle- 
man that was well learned and taught, 
and with him, named Gouvernail, he sent 
young Tristram away from the Lyonesse court 
into France, to learn the language and customs 
and deeds of arms. There he learned to be a 
harper passing all others of his time, and he also 
applied himself well to the gentlemanly art of 
hawking and hunting, for he that gentle is will 
draw unto him gentle qualities and follow the 
customs of noble gentlemen. The old chronicle 
saith he adopted good methods for the chase, 
and the terms he used we have yet in hawking 
and hunting. Therefore the book of forest sports 
is called the Book of Sir Tristram. 

When he well could speak the language and 
had learned all that he might in that country, he 
came home again, and remained in Cornwall un- 
til he was big and strong, of the age of nineteen 
years, and his father, King Meliodas, had great 
joy of him. 


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122 


Stories of King Arthur 

Then it befell that King Anguish of Ireland 
sent to King Mark of Cornwall for the tribute 
long paid him, but now seven years behind. 
King Mark and his barons gave unto the mes- 
senger of Ireland the answer that they would 
no tribute pay, and bade him tell his king that if 
he wished tribute he should send a trusty knight 
of his land to fight for it against another that 
Cornwall should find to defend its right. With 
this the messenger departed into Ireland. 

When King Anguish understood the answer, 
he was wonderfully wroth, and called unto him 
Sir Marhaus, the good and proved knight, brother 
unto the queen of Ireland, and a knight of the 
Round Table, and said to him : “ Fair brother, I 
pray you go into Cornwall for my sake, and do 
battle for the tribute that of right we ought to 
have.” 

Sir Marhaus was not loath to do battle for his 
king and his land, and in all haste he was fitted 
with all things that to him needed, and so he de- 
parted out of Ireland and arrived in Cornwall 
even fast by the castle of Tintagil. 

When King Mark understood that the good 
and noble knight Sir Marhaus was come to fight 
for Ireland, he made great sorrow, for he knew 
no knight that durst have ado with him. Sir 


Sir Tristram’s First Battle 123 

Marhaus remained on his ship, and every day 
he sent word unto King Mark that he should pay 
the tribute or else find a champion to fight for it 
with him. 

Then they of Cornwall let make cries in every 
place, that what knight would fight to save the 
tribute should be rewarded so that he should fare 
the better the term of his life. But no one came 
to do the battle, and some counseled King Mark 
to send to the court of King Arthur to seek Sir 
Launcelot of the Lake, that at that time was 
named for the marvelousest knight of all the 
world. Others said it were labor in vain to do 
so, because Sir Marhaus was one of the knights 
of the Round Table, and any one of them would 
be loath to have ado with other. So the king 
and all his barons at the last agreed that it was 
no boot to seek any knight of the Round 
Table. 

Meanwhile came the language and the noise 
unto young Tristram how Sir Marhaus abode 
battle fast by Tintagil, and how King Mark could 
find no manner of knight to fight for him. Then 
Sir Tristram was wroth and sore ashamed that 
there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with 
Sir Marhaus, and he went unto his father, King 
Meliodas, and said : “ Alas, that I am not made 


124 Stories of King Arthur 

knight ; if I were, I would engage with him. I 
pray you give me leave to ride to King Mark to 
be made knight by him.” 

“ I will well,” said the father, “ that ye be ruled 
as your courage will rule you.” 

So Tristram went unto his uncle, who quickly 
gave him the order of knighthood, and anon sent 
a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters that 
said he had found a young knight ready to take 
the battle to the uttermost. Then in all haste 
King Mark had Sir Tristram horsed and armed 
in the best manner that might be had or gotten 
for gold or silver, and he was put into a vessel, 
both his horse and he, and all that to him be- 
longed both for his body and for his horse, to be 
taken to an island nigh Sir Marhaus’ ships, where 
it was agreed that they should fight. And when 
King Mark and his barons beheld young Sir 
Tristram depart to fight for the right of Corn- 
wall, there was neither man nor woman of honor 
but wept to see so young a knight jeopard him- 
self for their right. 

When Sir Tristram was arrived at the island, 
he commanded his servant Gouvernail to bring 
his horse to the land and to dress his horse 
rightly, and then, when he was in the saddle well 
apparelled and his shield dressed upon his 


Sir Tristram’s First Battle 125 

shoulder, he commanded Gouvernail to go to his 
vessel again and return to King Mark. “ And 
upon thy life,” said he, “ come thou not nigh this 
island till thou see me overcome or slain, or else 
that I win yonder knight." So either departed 
from other. 

When Sir Marhaus perceived this young knight 
seeking to encounter with himself, one of the 
most renowned knights of the world, he said, 
“ Fair sir, since thou hopest to win honor of me, 
I let thee wit honor mayest thou none lose by 
me if thou mayest stand me three strokes, for I 
let thee wit for my noble deeds, proved and seen, 
King Arthur made me knight of the Table 
Round." 

Then they put spears in rest and ran together 
so fiercely that they smote either other down, 
horse and all. Anon they pulled out their 
swords and lashed together as men that were 
wild and courageous. Thus they fought more 
than half a day, and either was wounded passing 
sore, so that the blood ran down freshly from 
them upon the ground. By then Sir Tristram 
waxed more fresh than Sir Marhaus, and better 
winded, and bigger, and with a mighty stroke he 
smote Sir Marhaus upon the helm such a buffet, 
that it went through his helm and through the 


126 Stories of King Arthur 

coif of steel and through the brain-pan, and the 
sword stuck so fast in the helm and in his brain- 
pan that Sir Tristram pulled thrice at his sword 
or ever he might pull it out from his head ; and 
there Marhaus fell down on his knees, the edge 
of Tristram’s sword left in his brain-pan. Sud- 
denly Sir Marhaus rose grovelling, and threw his 
sword and his shield from him, and so ran to his 
ships and fled his way, sore groaning. 

Anon he and his fellowship departed into Ire- 
land, and, as soon as he came to the king his 
brother, he had his wounds searched, and in his 
head was found a piece of Sir Tristram’s sword. 
No surgeons might cure this wound, and so he 
died of Sir Tristram’s sword. That piece of the 
sword the queen his sister kept ever with her, for 
she thought to be revenged, if she might. 

Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was 
sore wounded by a spear-thrust of Sir Marhaus 
so that he might scarcely stir. He sat down 
softly upon a little hill, and bled fast. Then 
anon came Gouvernail, his man, with his vessel, 
and Sir Tristram was quickly taken back into the 
castle of Tintagil. He was cared for in the best 
manner possible, but he lay there a month and 
more, and ever he was like to die of the stroke 
from Sir Marhaus’ spear, for, as the French book 


Sir Tristram’s First Battle 


12 7 

saith, the spear’s head was envenomed. Then 
was King Mark passing heavy, and he sent after 
all manner of surgeons, but there was none that 
would promise him life. 

At last there came a right wise lady, and she 
said plainly that he should never be whole unless 
he went into the same country that the venom 
came from, and in that country he should be 
holpen, or else never. When King Mark under- 
stood that, he let provide for Sir Tristram a fair 
vessel, well victualed, and therein was put Sir 
Tristram and Gouvernail with him. Sir Tristram 
took his harp with him, and so they put to sea to 
sail into Ireland. 


CHAPTER XIX 


SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOUD 

B Y good fortune Sir Tristram with Gou- 
vernail arrived in Ireland fast by a castle 
where King Anguish and the queen were. 
As he came to land he sat and harped in his bed 
a merry lay, such as none in Ireland ever heard 
afore that time. And when the king and queen 
were told of this stranger that was such a harper, 
anon they sent for him and let search his wounds, 
and then asked him his name. Then he an- 
swered, “ I am of the country of Lyonesse ; my 
name is Tramtrist, and I was thus wounded in a 
battle, as I fought for a lady’s right.” 

“ Truly,” said King Anguish, “ ye shall have 
all the help in this land that ye may. But I let 
you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss as ever 
king had, for there I lost the best knight of the 
world. His name was Marhaus, a full noble 
knight of the Table Round.” Then he told Sir 
Tristram wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain. Sir 
Tristram made semblant as if he were sorry, and 
yet better knew he how it was than the king. 

128 


Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud 129 

The king for great favor had Tramtrist put in 
his daughter’s keeping, because she was a noble 
surgeon. When she searched his wound she 
found that therein was poison, and so she healed 
him within a while. Therefore Tramtrist cast 
great devotion to the Fair Isoud, for she was at 
that time the fairest maid of the world. He 
taught her to harp, and she soon began to have 
a great fancy unto him. Then soon he showed 
himself to be so brave and true a knight in the 
jousts that she had great suspicion that he was 
some man of honor proved, and she loved him 
more than tofore. 

Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there well cher- 
ished by the king and the queen and especially 
by Isoud the Fair. Upon a day as Sir Tramtrist 
was absent, the queen and Isoud roamed up and 
down in the chamber, and beheld his sword there 
as it lay upon his bed. And then by mishap the 
queen drew out the sword and regarded it a long 
while. Both thought it a passing fair sword, but 
within a foot and a half of the point there was a 
great piece thereof broken out of the edge. 
When the queen espied that gap in the sword, 
she remembered her of a piece of a sword that 
was found in the brain-pan of Sir Marhaus, her 
brother. “ Alas," then said she unto her 


130 Stories of King Arthur 

daughter, the Fair Isoud, “ this is the traitor 
knight that slew thine uncle.” 

When Isoud heard her say so she was sore 
abashed, for much she loved Sir Tramtrist, and 
full well she knew the cruelness of her mother. 
Anon the queen went unto her own chamber 
and sought her coffer, and there she took out the 
piece of the sword that was pulled out of Sir 
Marhaus’ head. Then she ran with that piece of 
iron to the sword that lay upon the bed, and 
when she put that piece unto the sword, it was as 
meet as it could be when new broken. The queen 
now griped that sword in her hand fiercely, and 
with all her might ran straight to where she 
knew Tramtrist was, and there she would have 
thrust him through, had not a knight pulled the 
sword from her. 

Then when she was letted of her evil will, she 
ran to King Anguish and told him on her knees 
what traitor he had in his house. The king was 
right heavy thereof, but charged the queen to 
leave him to deal with the knight. He went 
straight into the chamber unto Sir Tramtrist, that 
he found by now all ready armed to mount upon 
his horse. King Anguish saw that it was of no 
avail to fight, and that it was no honor to slay 
Sir Tramtrist while a guest within his court ; so 


Sir Tristram and the Fair Isoud 131 

he gave him leave to depart from Ireland in 
safety, if he would tell who he was, and whether 
he slew Sir Marhaus. 

“ Sir,” said Tristram, “ now I shall tell you all 
the truth : My father’s name is Meliodas, king of 
Lyonesse, and my mother hight Elizabeth, that 
was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall. I was 
christened Tristram, but, because I would not be 
known in this country, I turned my name, and 
had myself called Tramtrist. For the tribute of 
Cornwall I fought for mine uncle’s sake, and for 
the right of Cornwall that ye had possessed many 
years. And wit ye well I did the battle for the 
love of mine uncle, King Mark, for the love of 
the country of Cornwall, and to increase mine 
honor.” 

" Truly,” said the king, “ I may not say but 
ye did as a knight should ; howbeit I may not 
maintain you in this country with my honor.” 

“ Sir,” said Tristram, “ I thank you for your 
good lordship that I have had with you here, 
and the great goodness my lady your daughter 
hath shown me. It may so happen that ye shall 
win more by my life than by my death, for in 
the parts of England it may be I may do you 
service at some season so that ye shall be glad 
that ever ye showed me your good lordship. I 


132 Stories of King Arthur 

beseech your good grace that I may take my leave 
of your daughter and of all the barons and 
knights.” 

This request the king granted, and Sir Tris- 
tram went unto the Fair Isoud and took leave 
of her. And he told her all, — what he was, 
how he had changed his name because he would 
not be known, and how a lady told him that 
he should never be whole till he came into this 
country where the poison was made. She was 
full woe of his departing, and wept heartily. 

“ Madam,” said Sir Tristram, “ I promise you 
faithfully that I shall be all the days of my life 
your knight.” 

“ Gramercy,” said the Fair Isoud, “ and I 
promise you against that I shall not be married 
this seven years but by your assent.” 

Then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she 
gave him another, and therewith he departed 
from her, leaving her making great dole and 
lamentation. And he straight went unto the 
court among all the barons, and there he took 
his leave of most and least, and so departed and 
took the sea, and with good wind he arrived up 
at Tintagil in Cornwall. 


CHAPTER XX 


HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEMANDED THE FAIR 
ISOUD FOR KING MARK, AND HOW SIR 
TRISTRAM AND ISOUD DRANK THE 
LOVE POTION 

W HEN there came tidings that Sir Tris- 
tram was arrived and whole of his 
wounds, King Mark was passing glad, 
and so were all the barons. And Sir Tristram 
lived at the court of King Mark in great joy long 
time, until at the last there befell a jealousy and 
an unkindness between them. Then King Mark 
cast always in his heart how he might destroy 
Sir Tristram. 

The beauty and goodness of the Fair Isoud 
were so praised by Sir Tristram that King Mark 
said he would wed her, and prayed Sir Tristram 
to take his way into Ireland for him, as his mes- 
senger, to bring her to Cornwall. All this was 
done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram. Not- 
withstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the 
message fof any danger or peril, and made ready 
to go in the goodliest wise that might be de- 
1 33 


134 Stories of King Arthur 

vised. He took with him the goodliest knights 
that he might find in the court, arrayed them 
after the guise that was then used, and so de- 
parted over sea with all his fellowship. 

Anon as he was in the broad sea a tempest 
took them and drove them back into the coast 
of England. They came to land fast by Came- 
lot, and there Sir Tristram set up his pavilion. 
Now it fell that King Anguish of Ireland was 
accused of slaying by treason a cousin of Sir 
Launcelot of the Lake, and just at this time he 
was come to the court at the summoning of King 
Arthur upon pain of forfeiture of his lands ; yet 
ere he arrived at Camelot he wist not wherefore 
he was sent after. When he heard the accusa- 
tion he understood full well there was no remedy 
but to answer it knightly, for the custom was in 
those days, that if any man were accused of any 
treason or murder, he should fight body for body 
or else find another knight to fight for him. 
Now King Anguish grew passing heavy when 
he heard his accusing, for the knights of King 
Ban’s blood, as Sir Launcelot was, were as hard 
men to win in battle as any then living. 

The meanwhile Sir Tristram was told how 
King Anguish was come thither in great dis- 
tress, and he sent Gouvernail to bring him to 


Sir Tristram Demanded the Fair Isoud 135 

his pavilion. When Sir Tristram saw the king 
coming he ran unto him and would have holden 
his stirrup, but King Anguish leaped lightly from 
his horse, and either embraced other heartily. 
Sir Tristram remembered his promise, made 
when departing from Ireland, to do service to 
King Anguish if ever it lay in his power, and 
never had there been so great need of knight’s 
help as now. So when King Anguish told Sir 
Tristram all, Sir Tristram took the battle for the 
sake of the good lordship showed him in Ire- 
land and for the sake of the Fair Isoud, upon the 
condition that King Anguish grant two things. 
One was that he should swear that he was in the 
right and had never consented to the death of 
the knight. The second request was to be 
granted after the battle, if God should speed him 
therein. 

King Anguish quickly granted Sir Tristram 
whatsoever he asked, and anon departed unto 
King Arthur's judges, and told them he had 
found a champion ready to do the battle for him. 
So Sir Tristram fought for King Anguish and 
overcame his adversary, a most noble knight. 
Then King Anguish and Sir Tristram joyfully 
took their leave, and sailed into Ireland with 
great nobleness. 


136 Stories of King Arthur 

When they were in Ireland the king let make 
it known throughout all the land, how and in 
what manner Sir Tristram had done for him. 
Then the queen and all that were there made the 
most of him that they might. But the joy that 
the Fair Isoud made of Sir Tristram no tongue 
might tell, for of men earthly she loved him 
most. 

Then upon a day King Anguish would know 
from Sir Tristram why he asked not his boon, for 
whatsoever had been promised he should have 
without fail. “ Sir,” said Sir Tristram, “ now is 
it time, and this is what I desire : that ye will 
give me the Fair Isoud, your daughter, not for 
myself, but for mine uncle, King Mark, that shall 
have her to wife, for so have 1 promised him.” 

“ Alas,” said the king, “ I had rather than all 
the land that I have ye would wed her yourself.” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Tristram, “ if I did, then were I 
ashamed forever in this world, and false of my 
promise. Therefore I pray you hold your prom- 
ise that ye gave me, for this is my desire, that ye 
will give me the Fair Isoud to go with me into 
Cornwall, to be wedded to King Mark, mine 
uncle.” 

“ As for that,” said King Anguish, “ ye shall 
have her with you, to do with her what it please 


Sir Tristram Demanded the Fair Isoiid 137 

you ; that is to say, if ye list to wed her yourself, 
that is to me lievest ; and if ye will give her unto 
King Mark, that is in your choice.” 

So, to make a short conclusion, the Fair Isoud 
was made ready to go with Sir Tristram, and 
Dame Bragwaine went with her for her chief 
gentlewoman, with many others. The queen, 
Isoud’s mother, gave to Dame Bragwaine and 
unto Gouvernail a drink, and charged them that 
what day King Mark should wed, that same day 
they should give him that drink, “ and then,” 
said the queen, “ I undertake either shall love 
other the days of their life.” 

So this drink was given unto Dame Bragwaine 
and unto Gouvernail, and then anon Sir Tristram 
took the sea with the Fair Isoud. When they 
were in the cabin, it happened that they were 
thirsty, and they saw a little flask of gold stand 
by them, that seemed by the color and the taste 
to be noble wine. Then Sir Tristram took the 
flask in his hand, and said : “ Madam Isoud, here 
is the best drink that ever ye drank, that Dame 
Bragwaine your maid and Gouvernail my servant 
have kept for themselves.” 

Then they laughed and made good cheer, and 
either drank to other, thinking never drink was 
so sweet or so good. But after they had drunk 


138 Stories of King Arthur 

that magic wine, they loved either other so truly 
that never their love departed either for weal or 
for woe. 

So they sailed on till by fortune they came 
into Cornwall. There all the barons met them, 
and anon King Mark and the Fair Isoud were 
richly wedded with great splendor. But ever, as 
the French book saith, Sir Tristram and the Fair 
Isoud loved each other truly, and his life long he 
was her loyal and honorable knight. 


CHAPTER XXI 


HOW SIR TRISTRAM DEPARTED FROM 
TINTAGIL, AND WAS LONG IN THE 
FOREST 

HERE were great jousts and tourneying 



at that time in Cornwall, and Sir Tris- 


JL tram was most praised of all the knights. 
But some were jealous because of his prowess, 
and especially Sir Andred, that was cousin unto 
Sir Tristram, ever lay in a watch to wait betwixt 
him and the Fair Isoud, for to take them and 
slander them. So upon a day Sir Tristram 
talked with Isoud in a window, and that espied 
Sir Andred, and told it to the king. 

Then King Mark took a sword in his hand 
and came to Sir Tristram, and called him false 
traitor, and would have stricken him. But Sir 
Tristram ran under his sword, and took it out of 
his hand. And then the king cried, “ Where 
are my knights and my men ? I charge you 
slay this traitor.” 

But there was not one would move for his 
words. When Sir Tristram saw there was not 


i39 


140 Stories of King Arthur 

one would be against him, he shook the sword 
to the king, and made as though he would strike 
him. And then King Mark fled, for he was a 
coward, and Sir Tristram followed him, and 
smote upon him five or six strokes with the flat 
of his sword on the neck so that he made him 
fall upon the nose. Sir Tristram then went 
his way and armed himself, and took his horse 
and his man, and so he rode into the forest. 

King Mark called his council unto him and 
asked advice of his barons what was best to do 
with Sir Tristram. Their counsel was to send 
for him, that they might be friends, for in a quar- 
rel, if Sir Tristram were hard bestead, many men 
would hold with him against the king ; and if so 
peerless a knight should depart from King 
Mark’s court and go to King Arthur’s, he would 
get himself such friends there that Cornwall 
would be put in ill repute. 

So the barons sent for Sir Tristram under a 
safe conduct, and he was welcomed back by 
King Mark. But his enemies ever plotted against 
him, and on a day Sir Andred and some of the 
barons set upon him secretly, seized him, and 
took him, bound hand and foot, unto a chapel 
which stood upon the sea rocks. When Sir 
Tristram saw that Andred meant to kill him 


Sir Tristram Departed from Tintagil 141 

there, he said : “ Fair lords, remember what I 
have done for the country Cornwall, and in what 
jeopardy I have been for the weal of you all, and 
see me not die thus to the shame of all knight- 
hood.” 

But Andred held to his purpose, and when 
Sir Tristram saw him draw his sword to kill him, 
he looked upon both his hands that were fast 
bound unto two knights, and suddenly he pulled 
them both to him and so freed his hands. Then 
he leaped unto his cousin Andred and wrested 
his sword out of his hands. Then he smote Sir 
Andred to the earth, and fought with the others 
till he had killed ten knights. So Sir Tristram 
gat the chapel and kept it by force. 

Then the uproar became great, and the people 
gathered unto Sir Andred, more than a hundred, 
whereupon Sir Tristram shut fast the chapel 
door, and brake the bars of a window, and so 
he leaped out and fell upon the crags by the sea. 
Here Sir Andred and his fellows might not get 
to him at that time, and so they departed. 

When Sir Tristram’s men heard that he was 
escaped they were passing glad, and on the rocks 
they found him, and with towels they pulled him 
up. Then Sir Tristram dreaded sore lest he 
were discovered unto the king, wherefore he 


142 Stories of King Arthur 

sent Gouvernail for his horse and his spear, and 
so he rode his way into the forest. As he rode 
he was in great sorrow at departing in this 
wise ; and there, as he made great dole, by for- 
tune a damsel met him, and she and her lady 
brought him meat and drink. Also they brought 
him a harp, for they knew him, and wist that 
for goodly harping he bore the prize in the 
world. 

So they tried to give him comfort, but he ate 
little of the food, and at the last came wholly out 
his mind for sorrow. He would go about in the 
wilderness breaking down the trees and boughs ; 
and other while, when he found the harp that 
the lady sent him, then would he harp and play 
thereupon and weep together. Sometimes when 
Sir Tristram was in the wood, then would the 
lady sit down and play upon the harp ; then 
would he come to that harp and hearken thereto, 
and sometimes he would harp himself. 

Thus it went on a quarter of a year, when at 
the last Sir Tristram ran his way, and the lady 
wist not what had become of him. He waxed 
lean and poor of flesh, and fell into the fellowship 
of herdmen and shepherds, and daily they would 
give him of their meat and drink. And when 
he did any evil deed they would beat him with 


Sir Tristram Departed from Tintagil 143 

rods, and so they clipped him with shears and 
made him like a fool. 

And upon a day Sir Dagonet, King Arthur’s 
fool, came into Cornwall, with two squires with 
him, and as they rode through the forest they 
came by a fair well where Sir Tristram was wont 
to be. The weather was hot, and they alighted 
to drink of that well, and in the meanwhile their 
horses brake loose. Just then Sir Tristram came 
unto them, and first he soused Sir Dagonet in 
that well, and then his squires, and thereat 
laughed the shepherds. Forthwithal he ran after 
their horses, and brought them again one by one, 
and right so, wet as they were, he made Sir 
Dagonet and his squires mount and ride their 
ways. 

Thus Sir Tristram endured there a half-year, 
and would never come in town or village. Then 
Sir Andred, that was cousin unto Sir Tristram, 
let a tale be brought unto King Mark’s court that 
Sir Tristram was dead, and that ere he died he 
besought King Mark to make Sir Andred king 
of the country of Lyonesse, of the which Sir 
Tristram was lord. When Queen Isoud heard of 
these tidings she made such sorrow that she was 
nigh out of her mind, and she lay long sick, at 
the point of death. 


144 Stories of King Arthur 

Meanwhile a knight came unto King Mark and 
told him of a mad man in the forest at the fair 
fountain. So he commanded his knights to take 
Sir Tristram with fairness, and bring him to his 
castle, yet he knew not that the mad man was Sir 
Tristram. They did softly and fair, and cast 
mantles upon Sir Tristram, and so led him unto 
Tintagil. There they bathed him, and gave him 
hot suppings, till they had brought him well to 
his remembrance. But all this while there was no 
creature that knew Sir Tristram, nor what man 
he was. 

Now it fell upon a day that the queen, the 
Fair Isoud, heard of this man that ran wild in the 
forest and how the king had brought him home 
to the court, and with Dame Bragwaine she went 
to see him in the garden, where he was reposing 
in the sun. When she looked upon Sir Tristram 
she knew not that it was he, yet it seemed to her 
she had seen him before. But as soon as Sir 
Tristram saw her he knew her well enough, and 
he turned away his visage and wept. The queen 
had always with her a little dog that Sir Tristram 
gave her the first time that ever she came into 
Cornwall, and never would that dog depart from 
her unless Sir Tristram was nigh there with Isoud. 
Anon as this little dog caught a scent of Sir 


Sir Tristram Departed from Tintagil 145 

Tristram, she leaped upon him, licked his cheeks, 
whined and smelled at his feet and over his whole 
body. Then the Fair Isoud saw that it was her 
lord, Sir Tristram, and thereupon she fell down in 
a swoon, and so lay a great while. 

When she might speak, she blessed God that 
Sir Tristram was still alive, yet she knew that her 
lord King Mark would discover him by the little 
dog that would never leave him. 


CHAPTER XXII 


HOW KING MARK WAS SORRY FOR THE 
GOOD RENOWN OF SIR TRISTRAM 

HE queen departed from Sir Tristram 



but the little dog would not from him. 


JL Therewithal came King Mark, and the 
dog set upon him and bayed at all the barons. 
Thereupon Sir Andred saw by the dog that it 
was Sir Tristram, and King Mark repented that 
he had brought the mad man in from the forest. 
Then he let call his barons to judge Sir Tristram 
to death. They would not assent thereto, but by 
the advice of them all he was banished out of the 
country for ten years. 

So Sir Tristram was made to depart out of the 
country of Cornwall, and there were many barons 
brought him into his ship. When he was ready 
to set sail he said : “ Greet well King Mark and 
all mine enemies, and say I will come again when 
I may. And well am I rewarded for the fighting 
with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all this country 
from servage, and well am I rewarded for the 


146 


Good Renown of Sir Tristram 147 

fetching of the Fair Isoud out of Ireland, and the 
danger I was in first and last." 

So Sir Tristram departed over sea, and arrived 
in Wales. As he rode there through the Forest 
Perilous, a lady in great distress met him, that 
said : “ O my lord, come with me, and that in all 
the haste ye may, for ye shall see the most 
honorable knight of the world hard bestead, and 
he is none other than the noble King Arthur 
himself." 

“ God defend," said Sir Tristram, “ that ever he 
should be in such distress. I am ready to help 
him if I may." 

So they rode at a great pace, till they saw a 
knight, that was King Arthur, on foot fighting 
with two knights, and anon the one knight was 
smitten down, and they unlaced his helm to slay 
him. Therewithal came Sir Tristram with all his 
might, and smote the two traitors so that they 
fell dead. Then he horsed King Arthur, and as 
they rode forth together, the King thanked 
heartily Sir Tristram, and desired to wit his 
name. He would not tell him, but said that he 
was a poor knight adventurous. So he bare 
King Arthur fellowship, till he met with some of 
his knights. 

Then departed Sir Tristram, and rode straight 


148 Stories of King Arthur 

toward Camelot. Then was he ware of a seemly 
knight riding against him with a covered shield. 
They dressed their shields and spears, and came 
together with all the mights of their horses. 
They met so fiercely that both horses and knights 
fell to the earth. As fast as they were able they 
then gat free from their horses, and put their 
shields before them ; and they strake together 
with bright swords, like men of might, and either 
wounded other wonderly sore, so that the blood 
ran out upon the grass. 

Thus they two fought the space of four hours. 
Never one would speak to other one word, and 
of their harness they hewed off many pieces. 
Then at the last spake the one with the covered 
shield : “ Knight, thou tightest wonderly well as 
ever I saw knight ; therefore if it please you tell 
me your name.” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Tristram, “ that is me loath to 
tell any man my name.” 

“ Truly,” said the other, “ if I was requested, I 
was never loath to tell my name. I am Sir 
Launcelot of the Lake.” 

“ Alas,” said Sir Tristram, “ what have I done, 
for ye are the man in the world that I love best.” 

“ Fair knight,” said Sir Launcelot, “ tell me 
now your name.” 


Good Renown of Sir Tristram 149 

“ Truly,” said he, “ my name is Sir Tristram of 
Lyonesse.” 

“ Oh,” said Sir Launcelot, “ what adventure is 
befallen me ! ” 

Therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled adown, and 
yielded him up his sword. And therewithal Sir 
Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up his 
sword. So either gave other the victory. There- 
upon they both forthwithal went to a stone, and 
sat down upon it, and took off their helms to 
cool themselves. Then after a while they took 
their helms and rode together to Camelot. 

There soon they met King Arthur, and when 
he wist that it was Sir Tristram, he ran unto him 
and took him by the hand and said, “ Sir Tris- 
tram, ye be as welcome as any knight that ever 
came to this court.” Then they went to the 
Table Round, where Queen Guenever came, and 
many ladies with her, and all the ladies said at 
one voice, “Welcome, Sir Tristram.” “Wel- 
come,” said the damsels ; “ Welcome,” said the 
knights ; “ Welcome,” said Arthur, “ for one of 
the best knights and the gentlest of the world, 
and the man of most honor. For of all manner 
of hunting ye bear the prize ; and of all the terms 
of hunting and hawking ye are the beginner ; of 
all instruments of music ye are the best. There- 


150 Stories of King Arthur 

fore, gentle knight, ye are welcome to this court. 
Now I pray you, grant me a boon.” 

“ It shall be at your commandment,” said Tris- 
tram. 

“ Well,” said Arthur, “ I will desire of you 
that ye will abide in my court.” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Tristram, “ thereto is me loath, 
for I have ado in many countries.” 

“ Not so,” said Arthur; “ye have promised it 
me, and ye may not say nay.” 

So Sir Tristram agreed to remain with King 
Arthur, who then went unto the sieges about the 
Round Table, and looked in every siege that 
lacked a knight. Then the King saw in the 
siege of Marhaus letters that said, “ This is the 
siege of the noble knight Sir Tristram.” And 
then Arthur made Sir Tristram knight of the 
Table Round with great splendor and great feast, 
as might be thought. For that Sir Marhaus, a 
worthy knight, was slain afore by the hands of 
Sir Tristram was well known at that time in the 
court of Arthur ; and that for evil deeds that he 
did unto the country of Cornwall Sir Tristram 
and he fought ; and that they fought so long trac- 
ing and traversing till they fell bleeding to the 
earth, for they were so sore wounded that they 
might not stand ; and that Sir Tristram by for- 


Good Renown of Sir Tristram lji 

tune recovered, and Sir Marhaus died through 
the stroke on the head. 

King Mark had had great despite of the renown 
of Sir Tristram, and therefore had chased him out 
of Cornwall. When now he heard of the great 
prowess that Sir Tristram did in England he was 
sore grieved, and sent men to espy what deeds 
he did. The Queen Isoud also on her part sent 
privily spies to know what deeds he had done, 
for great love was between them twain. When 
the messengers came home, and told that Sir 
Tristram passed all other knights at Arthur’s 
court unless it were Sir Launcelot, King Mark 
was right heavy of the tidings, and as glad was 
the Fair Isoud. Then in great despite King 
Mark took with him two good knights and two 
squires, disguised himself, and took his way into 
England, to the intent to slay Sir Tristram. 

So King Mark came into England, where he 
soon became known as the most horrible coward 
that ever bestrode horse; and there was much 
laughing and jesting at the knight of Cornwall, 
and much he was despised. Sir Dagonet, King 
Arthur’s fool, at one time chased him through 
thick and thin over the forests ; and when on a 
day Sir Launcelot overtook him and bade him 
turn and fight, he made no defense, but tumbled 


152 Stories of King Arthur 

down out off the saddle to the earth as a sack, 
and there he lay still, and cried Sir Launcelot 
mercy. 

So King Mark was soon brought as recreant 
before King Arthur, who already knew where- 
fore he was come into his country, and that he 
had not done the service and homage he owed 
as King Arthur’s under-lord. But King Mark 
promised to make large amends for the wrongs 
he had done, for he was a fair speaker, and false 
thereunder. So on a day King Arthur prayed 
of him one gift, and King Mark promised to give 
him whatsoever he desired, if it was in his power. 
Then King Arthur asked him to be good lord 
unto Sir Tristram, and to take him back into 
Cornwall, and to cherish him for Arthur’s sake. 
King Mark promised this, and swore upon a 
book afore Arthur and all his knights. There- 
with King Arthur forgave him all the evil will 
that ever he owed him, and King Mark and Sir 
Tristram took either other by the hands hard 
knit together. But for all this King Mark 
thought falsely, as it proved afterward. 

Then soon afterward King Mark took his leave 
to ride into Cornwall, and Sir Tristram rode with 
him ; wherefore the most part of the Round 
Table were passing heavy, and some were wroth. 


Good Renown of Sir Tristram 153 

knowing that King Mark was the most coward 
and the villainest knight living. 

After a while letters came out of Cornwall that 
spake ill of Sir Tristram and showed plainly that 
King Mark took Sir Tristram for his mortal 
enemy. Sir Launcelot in especial made great 
sorrow for anger, wherefore Dinadan, a gentle, 
wise, and courteous knight, said to him : “ King 

Mark is so villainous that by fair speech shall 
never man get of him. But ye shall see what I 
shall do. I will make a lay for him, and when it 
is made I shall make a harper sing it afore him.” 

So anon Dinadan went and made the lay, hop- 
ing thereby to humble the crafty king ; and he 
taught it an harper that hight Eliot, and when he 
knew it, he taught it to many harpers. And so, 
by the will of Sir Launcelot and of Arthur, the 
harpers went straight into Wales and into Corn- 
wall, to sing the lay that Sir Dinadan made of King 
Mark, which was the worst lay that ever harper 
sang with harp or with any other instrument. 

At a great feast that King Mark made came 
in Eliot the harper, and because he was a curious 
harper, men heard him sing the lay that Dinadan 
had made, the which spake the most villainy of 
King Mark’s treason that ever man heard. 
When the harper had sung his song to the end. 


154 Stories of King Arthur 

King Mark was wonderly wroth, for he deemed 
that the lay that was sung afore him was made by 
Sir Tristram’s counsel, wherefore he thought to 
slay him and all his well willers in that country. 

So King Mark grew ever more jealous of Sir 
Tristram because of his prowess as knight and 
his great love and loyal devotion to the queen, 
the Fair Isoud ; and by treason King Mark let 
take him and put him in prison, contrary to his 
promise that he made unto King Arthur. When 
Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was 
in prison, she made as great sorrow as ever made 
lady or gentlewoman. Then Sir Tristram sent a 
letter unto her, and prayed her to be his good 
lady ; and if it pleased her to make a vessel ready 
for her and him, he would go with her unto the 
realm of Logris, that is this land. 

When the Fair Isoud understood Sir Tristram’s 
letter and his intent, she sent him another, and 
bade him be of good comfort, for she would 
make the vessel ready, and all things to purpose. 
Then she had King Mark taken and put in 
prison, until the time that she and Sir Tristram 
were departed unto the realm of Logris. And 
then Sir Tristram was delivered out of prison, 
and anon in all haste they took their vessel, 
and came by water into England. 


Good Renown of Sir Tristram 155 

When Sir Launcelot understood that Sir 
Tristram was there, he was full glad. He espied 
whither he went, and after him he rode, and 
then either made of other great joy. And so 
Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram and the Fair 
Isoud unto Joyous Gard, that was Sir Launcelot’s 
own castle that he had won with his own hands. 
And he charged all his people to honor them 
and love them as they would do himself. 

Near three years Sir Tristram kept the Fair 
Isoud with him in Joyous Gard, and then by 
means of treaties he brought her again unto 
King Fox, which was the name Sir Launcelot 
gave unto Mark because of his wiles and treason. 
But ever the malice of King Fox followed his 
brave nephew, and in the end he slew him as he 
sat harping afore his lady, the Fair Isoud, with a 
trenchant glaive, thrust in behind to the heart. 

For his death was much bewailing of every 
knight that ever was in Arthur’s days, for he was 
traitorously slain. And the Fair Isoud died, 
swooning upon the cross of Sir Tristram, whereof 
was great pity. And all that were with King 
Mark that were consenting to the death of Sir 
Tristram were slain, as Sir Andred and many 
others. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


HOW SIR PERCIVALE OF GALIS SOUGHT 
AND FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT 

W HILE King Arthur and his knights 
were still sorrowful over Sir Tristram’s 
return to Cornwall, greatly fearing 
mischief to the good knight by some manner of 
falsehood or treason of King Mark, there came 
to the court a knight bringing a young squire 
with him. It was Sir Aglovale, King Pellinore’s 
son, and the squire was his brother, Percivale, 
that he wished King Arthur to make knight. 
The boy was the youngest of five sons, and for 
love of the father and the brothers, good knights 
all, the King made him a knight the next day 
in Camelot; yet the King and all the knights 
thought it would be long ere he proved a man 
of prowess, and Sir Kay and Sir Mordred made 
sport of his rude manner. 

At the dinner, when every knight was set 
after his honor, the King commanded Sir Perci- 
vale to be placed among mean knights. But 
*56 


Sir Percivale of Galis 


l 57 

there was a maiden in the Queen’s court that 
was come of high blood, yet she was dumb, and 
never spake a word. Right so she came straight 
into the hall, went unto Sir Percivale, took him 
by the hand, and said aloud, that the King and 
all the knights might hear it, “ Arise, Sir Perci- 
vale, the noble knight and God’s knight, and go 
with me.” 

So he did, and she brought him to the right 
side of the Siege Perilous, and said, “ Fair knight, 
take here thy siege, for that siege appertaineth 
to thee, and to none other.” Right so she de- 
parted, and soon afterward she died. Then the 
King and all the court made great joy of Sir Per- 
civale. 

Then Sir Percivale rode forth upon adventures, 
and came into Cornwall to seek Sir Tristram. 
And he delivered him from a prison where 
King Mark had placed him, and then rode 
straight unto King Mark and told him he had 
done himself great shame to treat so falsely Sir 
Tristram, the knight of most renown in all the 
world. Then Sir Percivale departed, but anon 
King Mark bethought him of more treason, not- 
withstanding his promise never by any manner of 
means to hurt Sir Tristram, and he let take him 
and put him again in prison. How he then 


l $8 Stories of King Arthur 

escaped with Isoud into England we have already 
read in the tale of Sir Tristram. 

Now it chanced that Sir Launcelot of the Lake 
had sore offended the Queen Quenever, and she 
rebuked him harshly, called him false traitor 
knight, and sent him from her court. Therewith 
he took such an hearty sorrow at her words that 
he went clean out of his mind, and leaped out at 
a bay window into a garden, and there with 
thorns he was all scratched up in his visage. So 
he ran forth he wist not whither, and for a long 
while none of his kin wist what was become of 
him. 

Soon Queen Quenever was right sorry that 
she had been so angry with her faithful knight, 
and on her knees besought Sir Bors and many 
others to seek Sir Launcelet throughout all Eng- 
land, Wales, and Scotland. So these noble 
knights by one assent rode forth by twos and 
threes, and ever they assigned where they should 
meet. 

Sir Aglovale and Sir Percivale rode together 
unto their mother that was a queen in those 
days. And when she saw her two sons, for joy 
she wept tenderly and said, “ Ah my dear sons, 
when your father was slain he left me five sons, 
of the which now be three slain ; my heart shall 


Sir Percivale of Galis 159 

never be glad more.” Then she kneeled down 
tofore Aglovale and Percivale, and besought 
them to abide at home with her. 

“ Ah, sweet mother,” said Sir Percivale, “ we 
may not, for we be come of king’s blood on both 
sides, and therefore, mother, it is our kind to 
haunt arms and noble deeds.” 

Then there was but weeping and sobbing when 
they should depart, and after they were gone she 
sent a squire after them with spending enough. 
When the squire had overtaken them, they would 
not suffer him to ride with them, but sent him 
home again to comfort their mother, praying her 
meekly for her blessing. 

So this squire was benighted as he rode home- 
ward, and by misfortune happened to come into 
the castle of a baron whose brother (a false knight 
and betrayer of ladies and of good knights) Sir 
Aglovale had slain. When this baron knew from 
the squire that he served a good knight called Sir 
Aglovale, he commanded his men to have him 
away without mercy. 

On the morn came Sir Aglovale and Sir Per- 
civale riding by a churchyard where men and 
women were busy in burying this same dead 
squire. When the brothers heard from a good 
man of the company how the baron had shame- 


160 Stories of King Arthur 

fully slain the squire that night, they alighted both, 
left their horses with their men, and went on foot to 
the castle. All so soon as they were within the 
castle gate Sir Aglovale bade the porter, “ Go 
thou unto thy lord and tell him that I am Sir 
Aglovale, for whom the squire was slain this 
night." 

Anon the lord of the castle, whose name was 
Goodewin, came armed into the court, and he and 
Sir Aglovale lashed together as eagerly as it had 
been two lions. Sir Percivale fought with all the 
remnant that would fight, and within a while 
had slain all that would withstand him, for he 
dealt so his strokes that there durst no man abide 
him. Within a while Sir Aglovale had Sir 
Goodewin also at the earth, and so the two 
brethren departed and took their horses. Then 
they let carry the dead squire unto a priory, and 
there they interred him. When this was done 
they rode their way into many countries, ever in- 
quiring after Sir Launcelot, but never they could 
hear of him. 

At last, at a castle that hight Cardican, Sir 
Percivale parted from Sir Aglovale, and with his 
squire rode alone. In the afternoon he came 
upon a bridge of stone, where he found a knight 
that was bound with a chain fast about unto a 


Sir Percivale of Galis 161 

pillar of stone. This was Sir Persides, a knight 
of the Table Round, who by adventure came this 
way and lodged in the castle at the bridge foot. 
There by an evil custom of the castle men set 
upon him suddenly or ever he might come to his 
weapon, and bound him, and chained him at the 
bridge. There he knew he should die unless 
some man of honor brake his bands. 

“ Be ye of good cheer,” said Sir Percivale 
“ and because ye are a knight of the Round 
Table as well as I, I trust to God to make you free.” 

Therewith Sir Percivale drew out his sword, 
and struck at the chain with such a might that 
he cut a-two the chain, and through Sir Persides’ 
hauberk, and hurt him a little. 

“ Truly,” said Sir Persides, “ that was a mighty 
stroke if ever I felt one, for had it not been for 
the chain, ye had slain me.” 

Therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming 
out of the castle, flying all that ever he might. 
“ Beware, sir,” said he ; “ yonder cometh a man 
that will have ado with you.” 

“ Let him come,” said Sir Percivale. 

So he met with that knight in the midst of the 
bridge, and gave him such a buffet that he smote 
him quite from his horse and over a part of the 
bridge so that, had there not been a little vessel 


162 Stories of King Arthur 

under the bridge, that knight had been drowned. 
Then Sir Percivale took the knight’s horse, and 
made Sir Persides to mount upon him. So they 
rode to the castle, and made the lady deliver Sir 
Persides’ servants. 

Had he not had a great matter in hand, he 
would have remained to do away with the evil 
customs there. But Sir Percivale might not long 
abide, for he rode to seek Sir Launcelot. 

Sir Persides brought him unto his own castle, 
and there made him great cheer for that night. 
Then on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard 
mass and broken his fast, he said to Sir Persides : 
“ Ride unto King Arthur, and tell the King how 
that ye met with me, and tell my brother Sir 
Aglovale how I rescued you, and bid him seek 
not after me, for I am in the quest to seek Sir 
Launcelot of the Lake, and will not see him or 
the court till Sir Launcelot is found. Also tell 
Sir Kay and Sir Mordred that I trust to God to 
be of as good worthiness as either of them, and 
that I will never see that court till men speak 
more honor of me than ever men did of any of 
them both.” 

So Sir Persides departed from Sir Percivale, 
and rode unto King Arthur, and told there of 
Sir Percivale. And King Arthur said he must 


Sir Percivale of Galis 163 

needs prove a good knight, for his father and 
his brethren were noble knights. 

Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and speak we 
of his care and woe and what pain he endured 
from cold, hunger, and thirst. As he wandered 
like a mad man here and there, he by fortune 
came to the castle of King Pelles. There he 
was healed of his madness, and when he was re- 
covered he was sore ashamed that he had thus 
been clean out of his wit. And King Pelles 
gave him his castle of Bliant, that stood in an 
island enclosed with a fair water, deep and large. 
Sir Launcelot called it the Joyous Isle, and here 
he dwelt a long while. Because he was driven 
from King Arthur’s court he desired not to be 
known, and he named himself “ The knight that 
hath trespassed.” 

Now it fell at that time that Sir Launcelot 
heard of a jousting hard by his castle, and he sent 
word thither that there was one knight in the 
Joyous Isle, by name “The knight that hath 
trespassed,” that will joust against any knights 
that will come to him. When this cry was made, 
unto Joyous Isle drew many knights, and wit 
you well there was not seen at Arthur’s court 
one knight that did so much deeds of arms as 
were done in that gay castle. 


164 Stories of King Arthur 

And in the meanwhile came also Sir Percivale 
nigh to Joyous Isle, and would have gone to that 
castle, but might not for the broad water. Then 
he saw on the other side a lady, and he called 
unto her and asked who was in that castle. 

“ Fair knight,” she said, “ here within this castle 
is the fairest knight and the mightiest man that 
is, I dare say, living, and he calleth himself ‘ The 
knight that hath trespassed.' He came into this 
country like a mad man, with dogs and boys 
chasing him, and by miracle he was brought into 
his wit again. If ye list to come into the castle, 
ye must ride unto the further side of the isle, 
and there shall ye find a vessel that will bear you 
and your horse.” 

Then Sir Percivale came unto the vessel, and 
passed the water. When he came to the castle- 
gate, he bade the porter, “ Go thou to the good 
knight within the castle, and tell him here is 
come an errant knight to joust with him.” 

Sir Percivale now rode within the castle, and 
anon as Sir Launcelot had warning, he was soon 
ready. And there Sir Percivale and Sir Launce- 
lot encountered with such a might that both the 
horses and the knights fell to the earth. Then 
they left their horses, swung out noble swords, 
and hewed away pieces of their shields, and 


Sir Percivale of Galis 165 

dashed together like two boars, and either 
wounded other passing sore. 

At the last Sir Percivale spake, when they had 
fought there more than two hours : “ Fair 

knight,” said he, “ I pray thee tell me thy name, 
for I met never with such a knight.” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “ my name is ‘ The 
knight that hath trespassed.’ Now tell me your 
name, I pray you, gentle knight.” 

“ Truly,” said Sir Percivale, “ my name is Sir 
Percivale of Galis ; King Pellinore was my father 
and Sir Aglovale is my brother.” 

“ Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “ what have I 
done to fight with you that art a knight of the 
Table Round, that sometime was your fellow.” 

Therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon 
his knees, and threw away his shield and his 
sword from him. When Sir Percivale saw him 
do so, he marveled what he meant. Then he 
begged him upon the high order of knighthood 
to tell his true name, and Sir Launcelot told him 
all. 

“ Alas,” said Sir Percivale, “ what have I done ! 
I was sent by the Queen for to seek you, and so 
I have sought you nigh these two years. I pray 
you forgive me mine offense that I have here 
done.” 


i66 


Stories of King Arthur 

“ It is soon forgiven,” said Sir Launcelot. 

Then Sir Percivale told him how King Arthur 
and all his knights, and in especial Queen Guen- 
ever, made great dole and sorrow that ever he 
departed from them, and that never knight was 
better welcome back to the court than he would 
be. So Sir Launcelot agreed to do after Sir 
Percivale’s counsel, and ride with him to the 
King. 

So then they took their horses and departed 
from the Joyous Isle, and within five days’ jour- 
ney they came to Camelot, that is called in 
English Winchester. And when Sir Launcelot 
was come among them, the King and all the 
knights made great joy of him. Then Sir Perci- 
vale of Galis began and told the whole adven- 
tures, and all the tales of Sir Launcelot. And 
the Queen made great cheer, and there were 
great feasts made, and many great lords and 
ladies, when they heard that Sir Launcelot was 
come to the court again, made great joy. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD 
T the vigil of Pentecost, when all the fel- 



lowship of the Round Table were come 


JLunto Camelot, and the tables were set 
ready to the meat, right so entered into the hall 
a full fair gentlewoman before the King, and on 
behalf of King Pelles requested that Sir Launce- 
lot should go with her hereby into a forest. Sir 
Launcelot bade his squire saddle his horse and 
bring his arms, and right so he departed with the 
gentlewoman, and rode until that he came into a 
great valley, where they saw an abbey of nuns. 
There was a squire ready, and opened the gates ; 
and so they entered and descended off their 
horses, and there came a fair fellowship about 
Sir Launcelot and welcomed him, and were pass- 
ing glad of his coming. 

In the meanwhile there came twelve nuns 
which brought with them Galahad, the which was 
passing fair and well made, so that in the world 
men might scarcely find his match. “ Sir,” said 
the ladies, “ we bring you here this child, the 


167 


168 Stories of King Arthur 

which we have nourished, and we pray you to 
make him a knight ; for of a worthier man's 
hand may he not receive the order of knight- 
hood." 

Sir Launcelot beheld that young squire, and 
saw him seemly and demure as a dove, with all 
manner of good features, and he thought of his 
age never to have seen so fair a man of form. 
Then said Sir Launcelot, “ Cometh this desire of 
himself? ” 

He and all they said, “ Yea." 

“ Then shall he," said Sir Launcelot, “ receive 
the high order of knighthood to-morrow." 

That night Sir Launcelot had passing good 
cheer, and on the morn at the hour of prime, at 
Galahad’s desire, he made him knight, and said, 
“ God make you a good man, for beauty faileth 
you not as any that liveth." 

Then Sir Launcelot departed from them, and 
came again unto Camelot by the hour of nine on 
Whitsunday morning. By that time the King 
and the Queen and all the fellowship were gone 
to the minster to hear the service. 

When they were come from service all were 
passing glad of Sir Launcelot’s return. And as 
they entered the hall each of the barons sought 
his name, written with gold letters, in the sieges . 


Of the Coming of Sir Galahad 169 

of the Round Table. Thus they went along 
from seat to seat, until that they came to the 
Siege Perilous, where they found letters newly 
written of gold, that said : “ Four hundred win- 
ters and fifty-four accomplished after the passion 
of our Lord Jesu Christ ought this siege to be 
filled.” , 

All thought this a marvelous thing, and an ad- 
venturous. And then Sir Launcelot accounted 
the term of the writing from the birth of our 
Lord unto that day, and said : “ It seemeth me 
this siege ought to be filled this same day, 
for this is the feast of Pentecost after the four 
hundred and four and fifty years ; and if it would 
please all parties, I would none of these letters 
were seen this day, till he be come that ought to 
achieve this adventure.” 

Then they provided a cloth of silk for to cover 
these letters in the Siege Perilous, and the King 
bade haste unto dinner. 

It was an old custom of Arthur’s court that 
on this day they should not sit at their meat until 
they had seen some adventure. As they stood 
waiting therefor, in came a squire bringing the 
marvelous tidings that beneath at the river there 
was a great stone, as it were of red marble, float- 
ing above the water, wherein a sword stuck. So 


170 Stories of King Arthur 

the King and all the knights went unto the river 
to see this marvel, and they found it even as the 
squire had said. There in the stone was the fair 
rich sword, and in the pommel thereof were 
precious stones and subtile letters wrought with 
gold. Then the barons read the letters, which 
said in this wise : “ Never shall man take me 
hence but only he by whose side I ought to 
hang, and he shall be the best knight of the 
world.” 

When the King had seen these letters, he said 
unto Sir Launcelot, “ Fair sir, this sword ought 
to be yours, for I am sure ye be the best knight 
of the world.” 

Then Sir Launcelot answered full soberly, con- 
scious of a great sin : “ Certes, sir, it is not my 
sword ; also, sir, wit ye well I have no hardiness 
to set my hand thereto, for it belongs not by my 
side.” 

“ Now, fair nephew,” said the King unto Sir 
Gawaine, “ assay ye to take the sword for my 
love.” 

Therewith Sir Gawaine took the sword by the 
handles, though unwillingly and only at the King’s 
commandment, but he might not stir it. Then 
the King said unto Sir Percivale that he should 
assay. So he set his hand on the sword and 


Of the Coming of Sir Galahad 171 

drew it strongly, but he might not move it. 
Then were there more that durst be so hardy as to 
set their hands thereto, but all failed. 

“ Now may ye go to your dinner,” said Sir 
Kay unto King Arthur, “for a marvelous adven- 
ture have ye seen.” 

So the King and all went in, and every knight 
knew his own place and set himself therein, and 
all sieges were filled save only the Siege Perilous. 
Anon there befel a marvelous adventure, for all 
the doors and the windows of the place shut of 
themselves, yet then the hall was not greatly 
darkened, and therewith they were amazed, both 
one and other. 

While they sat there in suspense as to what 
should happen, came in a good old man, and an 
ancient, clothed all in white, and there was no 
knight knew from whence he came. With him 
he brought a young knight in red arms, without 
sword or shield, save a scabbard hanging by his 
side. Then the old man said unto Arthur, “ Sir, 
I bring here a young knight, the which is of 
king’s lineage and of the kindred of Joseph of 
Arimathea, whereby the marvels of this court 
and of strange realms shall be fully accom- 
plished.” 

The King was right glad of the good man’s 


172 Stories of King Arthur 

words, and bade him and the young knight wel- 
come. Then the old man made the young man 
unarm ; and he was in a coat of red silk, and bore 
a mantle upon his shoulder that was furred with 
ermine. Anon the old knight led him unto the 
Siege Perilous, where beside sat Sir Percivale and 
Sir Launcelot. The good man lifted up the 
cloth, and found there letters that said thus : 
“ This is the siege of Galahad, the high prince.” 
He set him down surely in that siege, saying, 
“ Wit ye well that place is yours,” and then de- 
parted, and went his way. 

All the knights of the Table Round marveled 
greatly that Sir Galahad durst sit there in that 
Siege .Perilous, and was so tender of age; for 
never before had any one sat therein but he was 
mischieved. And they foresaw that Sir Galahad 
would come to great honor, and outdo them all 
in knightly courtesy. 

Then the King bade him welcome to the court, 
and, taking him by the hand, went down from the 
palace to show Galahad the adventures of the 
stone. “ Sir,” said the King unto him, “ here is 
a great marvel as ever I saw, and right good 
knights have assayed and failed.” 

" Sir,” said Galahad, “ that is no marvel, for 
this adventure is not theirs but mine, and for the 


Of the Coming of Sir Galahad 173 

surety of this sword I brought none with me ; for 
here by my side hangeth the scabbard/' 

Anon he laid his hand on the sword, and 
lightly drew it out of the stone and put it in the 
sheath, saying, “ Now it goeth better than it did 
aforehand." 


CHAPTER XXV 


HOW THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL 
WAS BEGUN 

HE dish from which our Lord Jesu 



Christ ate the paschal lamb at his last 


JL supper with his disciples men call the 
Holy Grail. Therein also Joseph of Arimathea 
caught the. last drops of sacred blood, and after 
the passion of our Lord that gentle knight, the 
which took down the body off the holy cross, 
at that time departed from Jerusalem with a great 
party of his kindred, bearing the Holy Grail with 


them. 


It befell that they came first to a city that 
hight Sarras, and at the last they crossed to Britain, 
and through them all the heathen people of this 
land were turned to the Christian faith. 

Ever as years went by the Holy Grail became 
more precious, and the possession of it ever more 
a sacred trust. But after a long while it was lost 
from the world through men’s sinfulness, and 
only those of pure heart and life might from 
time to time see it. 


i74 


How the Quest Was Begun 175 

Merlin, before he was put under the stone, had 
foreseen that by them which should be fellows of 
the Round Table the truth of the Holy Grail 
would be well known, and in the good days of 
King Arthur the longing grew to be worthy of 
the vision of this sign of the Lord’s presence 
among men. Moreover a holy hermit had said 
that, when the Siege Perilous was filled, the 
achieving of the Holy Grail should be near. 

After Galahad drew the sword out of the stone 
the King and all estates went thoughtful home 
unto Camelot, and so to even-song in the great 
minster. After that they went to supper, and 
every knight sat in his own place at the Round 
Table. Then anon they heard cracking and cry- 
ing of thunder that should, as it seemed to them, 
shake the place all to pieces. In the midst of 
this blast entered a sunbeam more clear by seven 
times than ever they saw day, and all they were 
alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. 

Then began every knight to behold other, and 
either saw other by their seeming fairer than ever 
they looked afore. There was no knight might 
speak one word, and so they looked every man 
on his fellow, as if they were dumb. Then there 
entered into the hall the Holy Grail, covered with 
white samite, but there was none might see it, or 


176 Stories of King Arthur 

who bear it. And there was all the hall filled 
full with good odors, and every knight was 
nourished in his soul. When the Holy Grail had 
been borne through the hall, then it departed 
suddenly, so that they wist not what became of 
it. 

Then had they all breath to speak, and the 
King yielded thankings unto God for his good 
grace that he had sent them. “ Now,” said Sir 
Gawaine, “ we have been richly blessed this day, 
but one thing beguiled us, — we might not see the 
Holy Grail, it was so preciously covered. Where- 
fore I will make here avow, that to-morn, 
without longer abiding, I shall labor in the quest 
of the Holy Grail a twelvemonth and a day, or 
more if need be, and shall not return unto the 
court till I have seen it more openly than it 
hath been seen here ; and if I may not speed, I 
shall return again at the end of the time as he 
that may not be against the will of our Lord 
Jesu Christ.” 

When they of the Table Round heard Sir 
Gawaine say so, the most part of them arose, 
and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had made. 
Anon as King Arthur heard this he was greatly 
grieved, for he wist well that they might not 
gainsay their avows, and he should be bereft of 


How the Quest Was Begun 177 

the fairest fellowship and the truest knighthood 
that ever were seen together in any realm of the 
world. For, when they departed from hence, 
they should never all meet again in this world, 
and many of his true fellowship of noble knights 
should die in the quest. 

When the Queen also and all the court wist 
these tidings, they had such sorrow and heavi- 
ness that there might no tongue tell it. Many of 
the ladies would have gone with the knights that 
they loved, had not an old man in religious cloth- 
ing said on high that none in this quest should 
ead wife with him. Moreover he warned the 
knights plainly that he that was not clean of his 
sins should not see the mysteries of our Lord 
Jesu Christ. Then they went to rest themselves, 
and in honor of the highness of Galahad he was 
led into King Arthur’s chamber, and there rested 
in his own bed. 

As soon as it was day the King arose, for he 
had no rest all that night for sorrow. Then the 
King and the Queen went unto the minster, and 
all the knights, armed fully save their shields and 
their helms, followed them to hear the service. 

Then after the service was done, the King 
would wit how many had taken the quest of the 
Holy Grail, and found by tale there were an 


178 Stories of King Arthur 

hundred and fifty, all knights of the Round 
Table. Then they put on their helms, and so 
mounted upon their horses, and rode through 
the streets of Camelot. And there was weep- 
ing of rich and poor, and the King turned away, 
and might not speak for weeping. 

Within a while they came to a city and a castle 
that hight Vagon. The lord of that castle was a 
good old man and set open the gates, and made 
them all the good cheer that he might. On the 
morrow they were all accorded that they should 
ride every each from other. Then they de- 
parted with weeping and mourning cheer, and 
every knight took the way that him best liked. 


CHAPTER XXVI 

HOW GALAHAD GAT HIM A SHIELD 


N OW Sir Galahad was yet without shield, 
and so he rode four days without any 
adventure. After even-song of the 
fourth day he came to a white abbey, and there 
he was received with great reverence, and led to 
a chamber wherein he was ware of two knights of 
the Round Table, the one King Bagdemagus 
and the other Sir Uwaine. They went unto 
him and made of him great solace ; and they 
told him that within this place was a shield that 
no man might bear about his neck without great 
harm to himself, unless he were the worthiest 
knight of the world. 

“ Ah, sir,” said King Bagdemagus to Galahad, 
“ I shall to-morrow assay this strange adventure, 
and if I may not achieve it ye shall take it upon 
you, for I am sure ye shall not fail.” 

“ Sir,” said Galahad, “ I agree right well thereto, 
for I have no shield.” 

So on the morn they arose and heard mass. 
179 


180 Stories of King Arthur 

Then King Bagdemagus asked where the ad- 
venturous shield was. Anon a monk led him 
behind an altar, where the shield hung as white 
as any snow, but in the midst was a red cross. 
The monk counseled him to be well advised be- 
fore taking it, and King Bagdemagus answered : 
u Well, I wot well that I am not the best knight 
of the world, but yet shall I assay to bear it.” 

And so, bidding Sir Galahad to abide there 
still, till it was known how he sped, King Bagde- 
magus bore the red cross shield out of the mon- 
astery, took with him a squire, the which should 
bring tidings unto Sir Galahad how he sped, and 
rode away. 

Two miles off they came into a fair valley 
afore a hermitage, and there they saw a goodly 
knight in white armor, horse and all. He came 
as fast as his horse might run, with his spear 
in the rest, and King Bagdemagus dressed his 
spear against him, and brake it upon the White 
Knight. The other struck him so hard that he 
brake the mails, and thrust him through the 
right shoulder, for the shield covered him not at 
that time, and so he bare him from his horse. 

Therewith the White Knight alighted and took 
the white shield from King Bagdemagus, saying, 
“ Knight, thou hast done thyself great folly, for 


How Galahad Gat Him a Shield 181 


this shield ought not to be borne but by him 
that shall have no peer that liveth.” Then he 
came to the squire, and said, “ Bear this shield 
unto the good knight Sir Galahad, that thou 
left in the abbey, and greet him well from me.” 

The squire first went unto Bagdemagus, and 
asked him whether he were sore wounded or not. 
“Yea, forsooth,” said he, “ I shall escape hard 
from death.” Then the squire fetched his horse, 
and brought him with great pain unto an abbey. 
Then was he taken down safely, and unarmed, 
and laid in a bed. There his wounds were 
looked to, and, as the book telleth, he lay there 
long, and escaped hard with life. 

“ Sir,” said the squire, when he came to Gala- 
had, “ that knight that wounded Bagdemagus 
sendeth you greeting, and bade that ye should 
bear this shield, wherethrough great adventures 
should befall.” 

“ Now blessed be God,” said Sir Galahad. 
Then he asked his arms, mounted upon his 
horse, and, commending himself unto God, hung 
the white shield about his neck. So he departed, 
and within a while came by the hermitage, where 
the White Knight awaited him. Every each 
saluted other courteously, and the knight told Sir 
Galahad the marvels of the shield. 


1 82 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Sir/’ said he, “ at that same hour that Joseph 
of Arimathea came to Sarras, there was a king 
in that city that hight Evelake, that had great 
war against the Saracens, and there Joseph made 
this shield for him in the name of Him that died 
upon the cross. Then through his good belief 
he had the better of his enemies ; for when King 
Evelake was in the battle, there was a cloth set 
afore the shield, and when he was in the greatest 
peril he let put away the cloth, and then his ene- 
mies saw a figure of a man on the cross, where- 
through they all were discomfited. 

“ Soon afterwards J oseph departed from Sar- 
ras, and King Evelake would go with him 
whether he would or nould, and they came into 
this land of Britain. Not long after this, when 
Joseph lay on his death-bed, King Evelake 
begged of him some token that would lead him 
to think on the old knight for love of whom he 
had left his own country. So Joseph took this 
shield, and thereupon he made a cross with his 
own blood ; that should be Evelake’s token. 
Then he said that no man should bear this shield 
until the time that Galahad come, the last of 
Joseph’s lineage, that should do many marvelous 
deeds while bearing it about his neck. To-day 


How Galahad Gat Him a Shield 183 

is the time they then set wh^n ye shall have 
King Evelake’s shield.” 

So spake the White Knight, and then vanished 
away ; and Sir Galahad rode with the squire 
back to the abbey. 


CHAPTER XXVII 


SIR GALAHAD AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS 
HE men of the abbey made great joy of 



Sir Galahad, and he rested there that 


night. Upon the morn he gave the 


order of knighthood to the squire who had 
brought him the red-cross shield, and asked 
him his name, and of what kindred he was 


come. 


“ Sir,” said he, “ men call me Melias of Lile, 
and I am the son of the King of Denmark.” 

“ Now, fair sir,” said Galahad, “ since ye are of 
noble birth, see that knighthood be well placed 
in you, for ye ought to be a mirror unto all 
chivalry.” 

“ Sir,” said Melias, " ye say truly. But, sir, 
since ye have made me a knight, ye must of 
right grant me my first desire that is reasonable.” 

“Ye say truly,” said Galahad. 

Then Melias said, “ Suffer me to ride with you 
in this quest of the Holy Grail till some adven- 
ture part us.” 


184 



SIR GALAHAD 

From the Painting by Watts 





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Sir Galahad at the Castle of Maidens 185 

“ I grant you, sir,” said Galahad. 

Then men brought Sir Melias his armor and 
his spear and his horse ; and so Sir Galahad and 
he rode forth all that week ere they found any 
adventure. And then upon a Monday, in the 
morning, as they had departed from an abbey, 
they came to a fork in the road, where stood 
written these words : “ Now ye knights errant, 
who go to seek knights adventurous, see here 
two ways ; the right hand road ye are warned 
against, for knight shall never ride out of that 
place again unless he be a good man and a 
worthy knight ; and if ye go to the left hand ye 
shall not there easily win prowess, for ye shall in 
this road be soon attacked.” 

“ Sir,” said Melias to Galahad, “ if ye are pleased 
to suffer me to take the way on the left hand, tell 
me, for there I shall well prove my strength.” 

“ It were better,” said Galahad, “ ye rode not 
that way, for I believe I should better escape in 
that way than ye.” 

“ Nay, my lord,” said Melias, “ I pray you, let 
me have that adventure.” 

“ Take it, in God’s name,” said Galahad. 

So Melias rode far through an old forest, and 
after two days or more came into a fair meadow. 
Here in a fair lodge of boughs he espied a chair 


l86 Stories of King Arthur 

wherein was a subtilely wrought crown of gold, 
and near by was a cloth spread upon the ground 
with many delicious meats upon it. Sir Melias 
had no desire for the food, but the crown of gold 
pleased him much, so he stooped down and took 
it and rode his way with it. And anon he saw a 
knight come riding after him, who called upon 
him to set down the crown that was not his, and 
to defend himself. 

The new-made knight was gla<f of this adven- 
ture, and the two let their horses run as fast as 
they might, so that the other knight smote Sir 
Melias through his hauberk and through the left 
side, and he fell to the earth nigh dead. Then 
the knight took the crown and went his way, 
and Sir Melias lay still, and had no power to stir. 
In the meanwhile by good fortune there came 
Sir Galahad and found him there in peril of 
death. 

Then he said, “ Ah, Melias, who hath wounded 
you ? It would have been better to ride the other 
way.” 

And when Sir Melias heard him speak, “Sir,” 
he said, “ for God’s love let me not die in this 
forest, but bear me unto the abbey near at hand.” 

“ It shall be done,” said Galahad, “ but where 
is he that hath wounded you ? ” 


Sir Galahad at the Castle of Maidens 187 

With that Sir Galahad heard some one cry, 
“ Knight, keep thee from me ! ” 

“ Ah, sir,” said Melias, “ beware, for that is he 
that hath slain me.” 

Sir Galahad answered, “ Sir knight, come at 
your peril.” 

So they came together as fast as their horses 
might run ; and Galahad smote the other so that 
his spear went through the knight’s shoulder and 
smote him down off his horse, and in the falling 
Galahad’s spear brake. With that came out 
another knight from the leaves, and brake a 
spear upon Galahad before he might turn about. 
Then Galahad drew out his sword and smote this 
one so that he fled away, and Sir Galahad 
pursued fast after him. But soon he turned 
again unto Sir Melias, and there he alighted and 
placed him softly on his horse before him, and 
Sir Galahad climbed up behind, and held him in 
his arms, and so brought him to the abbey and 
into his chamber. Here he placed the wounded 
knight in the care of an old monk, that promised 
to heal him of his wounds. 

‘‘Now I will depart,” said Galahad, “ for I have 
much on hand ; many good knights be full busy 
about it, and this knight and I were in the same 
quest of the Holy Grail.” 


J 88 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Sir,” said the good monk, “ for his sins he 
was thus wounded ; and I marvel/’ said he to 
Melias, “ how ye durst take upon you so rich a 
thing as the high order of knighthood without 
clean confession, and that was the cause ye were 
bitterly wounded. For the way on the right 
hand betokeneth the high way of our Lord Jesu 
Christ, and the way of a true good liver. And 
the other way betokeneth the way of sinners and 
of misbelievers. Your pride and presumption in 
taking the quest of the blessed Holy Grail made 
you to be overthrown, for it may not be achieved 
but by virtuous living. Pride is head of all 
deadly sins, and that caused you to depart from 
Sir Galahad. And when ye took the crown of 
gold your sin was covetousness and theft. But 
this Galahad, the holy knight, the which fought 
with the two knights that signify the two deadly 
sins which were wholly in you, was able to over- 
throw them, for he is pure in his heart.” 

“ My lord Galahad,” said Sir Melias, “ as soon as 
I may ride I shall seek you.” 

“ God send you health,” said Galahad, and so 
he took his horse and departed, and rode many 
journeys forward and backward, as adventure 
would lead him. 

Then Sir Galahad came unto a mountain. 


Sir Galahad at the Castle of Maidens 189 

There he found 'an old chapel, where all was 
desolate, and he knelt before the altar and be- 
sought of God wholesome counsel. As he 
prayed, he heard a voice that said, “ Go thou 
now, thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of 
Maidens, and there do thou away the wicked 
customs.” 

When Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God 
and took his horse, and he had ridden but half a 
mile when he saw in a valley afore him a strong 
castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a 
fair river, that was called Severn. Then he met 
with a man of great age. Either saluted other, 
and Galahad asked him the castle’s name. “ Fair 
sir,” said he, “ it is the Castle of Maidens.” 

“ That is a cursed castle,” said Galahad, “ and 
all who have intercourse therein are cursed, for 
all pity is lacking there, and all cruelty and mis- 
chief are therein.” 

“ Therefore I counsel you, sir knight,” said the 
other, “ that ye turn back.” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Galahad, “ ye may be sure I 
shall not turn back.” 

Then Sir Galahad looked on his armor to see 
that nothing was lacking, and he put his shield 
afore him, and anon there met him seven fair 
maidens, which said unto him, “ Sir knight, ye 


U)o Stories of King Arthur 

ride here in great folly, for ye have the water to 
pass over.” 

“ Why should I not pass the water ? ” said 
Galahad. 

So he rode away from them, and met with a 
squire, who said, “ Knight, those knights in the 
castle defy you, and forbid you to go further till 
they know what ye would.” 

“ Fair sir,” said Galahad, “ I come to destroy 
the wicked customs of this castle.” 

“ Sir,” said the squire, “ if ye will abide by that, 
ye shall have enough to do.” 

The squire entered into the castle, and anon 
there came out seven knights, all brethren. And 
when they saw Galahad they cried, “ Knight, de- 
fend thyself, for we assure thee nothing but 
death.” 

Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote 
the foremost to the earth. And therewith all 
the others smote him on his shield great strokes 
so that their spears brake. Then Sir Galahad 
drew out his sword, and set upon them so hard 
that it was marvel to see it, and so, through great 
force, he made them to forsake the field. Gala- 
had chased them till they entered into the castle, 
and then passed through the castle and out at 
another gate. 


Sir Galahad at the Castle of Maidens 191 

Now there met Sir Galahad an old man, who 
said, “ Sir, have here the keys of this castle." 

Then Sir Galahad opened the gates, and saw so 
many people in the passages that he might not 
number them, and all said, “ Sir, ye be welcome, 
for long have we awaited here our deliverance." 

Then came to him a gentlewoman, and said, 
“ These knights are fled, but they will come again 
this night, and here begin again their evil 
practices." 

“ What will ye that I shall do ? " said Galahad. 

“ Sir," said the gentlewoman, “ that ye send 
after all the knights hither that hold their lands of 
this castle, and make them to swear to use the 
customs that were used heretofore of old time." 

“ I will well," said Galahad. 

She brought him a horn of ivory, richly bound 
with gold, and said, “ Sir, blow this horn, which 
will be heard two miles about this castle." 

When Sir Galahad had blown the horn he set 
himself down upon a bed. Then a priest came 
and told him of the evil practices of the castle, 
and why it was called the Castle of Maidens. 
“ It chanced in this wise," said he : “ More than 
seven years agone the seven brethren came, and 
lodged with the lord of this castle and of all the 
country round about. When they espied the 


192 Stories of King Arthur 

duke’s daughter, a full fair woman, they plotted 
falsely betwixt themselves and slew the duke and 
his eldest son. Then they took the maiden and 
the treasure of the castle, and by great force they 
held all the knights of this castle against their will 
under their power in great slavery, and robbed 
and pillaged the poor common people of all that 
they had. Then it happened on a day the duke’s 
daughter said, ‘ Ye have done unto me great 
wrong to slay my own father and my brother, 
and thus to hold our lands. But ye shall not 
hold this castle many years, for by one knight ye 
shall be overcome.’ Thus she had prophesied 
seven years agone. 

“ ‘ Well,’ said the seven knights, ‘ if that be so, 
there shall never lady nor knight pass by this 
castle but they shall abide here, whether they 
will or not, or die for it, till that knight be come 
by whom we shall lose this castle.’ Therefore it 
is called the Maidens’ Castle, for many maidens 
have here been destroyed.” 

By the time the priest had finished, the 
knights of the country were come at the call 
from the ivory horn. Then Sir Galahad made 
them do homage and fealty to the duke’s 
daughter, and set the people in great ease of 
heart. 


Sir Galahad at the Castle of Maidens 193 

And the next morning one came to Galahad 
and told him how Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine 
had slain the seven brethren. “ I am glad to 
hear it,” said Sir Galahad, and he took his armor, 
mounted his horse, and commended the people 
of the Castle of Maidens unto God, and so rode 
away. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 

SIR LAUNCELOT’S REPENTANCE 

W HEN Sir Galahad was departed from 
the Castle of Maidens, he rode till 
he came to a waste forest, and there 
he met with Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale, 
but they knew him not, for he was new dis- 
guised. Right so, Sir Launcelot dressed 
his spear, and brake it upon Sir Galahad ; 
and Sir Galahad smote him so again, that he 
smote down horse and man. Then he drew his 
sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale, and 
smote him so on the helm that, had not the 
sword swerved, Sir Percivale had been slain, and 
with the stroke he fell out of his saddle. 

This joust was done tofore the hermitage 
where a recluse dwelt, and, when she saw Sir 
Galahad ride, she said, “ God be with thee, best 
knight of the world. Ah, verily, if yonder two 
knights had known thee as well as I do, they 
would not have encountered with thee.” 

When Sir Galahad heard her say so, he was 
sore adread to be known. Therefore he smote 


194 


Sir Launcelot’s Repentance 195 

his horse with his spurs, and rode at a great pace 
away from them. Then perceived they both 
that he was Galahad, and up they gat on their 
horses, and rode fast after him, but in a while he 
was out of their sight. Then they turned again 
with heavy cheer, and Sir Percivale said, “ Let us 
ask some tidings at yonder recluse.” 

“ Do as ye list,” said Sir Launcelot. So Sir 
Percivale turned back, but Sir Launcelot rode on 
over-thwart and endlong in a wild forest, and 
held no path, but as wild adventure led him. At 
last he came to a stone cross, which pointed two 
ways, and by the cross was a stone that was of 
marble ; but it was so dark that he might not wit 
what it was. 

Sir Launcelot looked about him, and saw an 
old chapel. There he expected to find people, so 
he tied his horse, and took off his shield and hung 
it upon a tree. Then he went to the chapel door, 
and found it waste and broken. Within he saw 
a fair altar full richly arrayed with cloth of clean 
silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick of 
silver which bare six great candles. 

When Sir Launcelot saw this light, he had 
great will to enter into the chapel, but he could 
find no place where he might enter. Then was 
he passing heavy and dismayed. He returned to 


196 Stories of King Arthur 

his horse, took off his saddle and bridle, and let 
him pasture. Then he unlaced his helm, and 
ungirded his sword, and laid himself down to 
sleep upon his shield tofore the cross. 

So he fell on sleep, and half waking and half 
sleeping he saw in a vision two fair white pal- 
freys come toward him, bearing in a litter a sick 
knight. When he was nigh the cross he abode 
still, and Sir Launcelot heard him say, “ Oh, sweet 
Lord, when shall this sorrow leave me? and 
when shall the holy vessel come by me, 
wherethrough I shall be blessed ? For I have en- 
dured thus long for little trespass.” 

A full great while lamented the knight thus, 
and always Sir Launcelot heard it. Then he saw 
the candlestick with the six tapers come before 
the cross, yet he saw nobody that brought it. 
Also there came a table of silver, and the sacred 
vessel of the Holy Grail upon it. 

Therewith the sick knight sat up, and, holding 
up both his hands, he prayed that he might be 
whole of his malady. Then on his hands and 
knees he went so nigh that he touched the holy 
vessel, and kissed it, and anon he was whole. 
Then he said, “ Lord God I thank thee, for I am 
healed of this sickness.” 

When the holy vessel had been there a great 


Sir Launcelot’s Repentance 197 

while, it went unto the chapel, with the candle- 
stick and the light, so that Launcelot wist not what 
became of it, for he was overtaken with a feeling of 
his sin, so that he had no power to arise and 
follow the holy vessel. 

Then the sick knight raised himself up, and 
kissed the cross. Anon his squire brought 
him his arms, and asked his lord how he did. 
“ Verily,” said he, “ I thank God, right well ; 
through the holy vessel I am healed. But I have 
great marvel of this sleeping knight, that had no 
power to awake when the Holy Grail was brought 
hither.” 

“ I dare right well say,” said the squire, “ that 
he dwelleth in some deadly sin, whereof he has 
never repented.” 

“ By my faith,” said the knight, “ whatsoever 
he be, he is unhappy, for, as I deem, he is of 
the fellowship of the Round Table, the which is 
entered into the quest of the Holy Grail.” 

“ Sir,” said the squire, “ here I have brought 
you all your arms, save your helm and your 
sword. By my assent now may ye take this 
knight’s helm and his sword.” 

So he did, and when he was clean armed, he 
took Sir Launcelot’s horse, for he was better 
than his own, and so they departed from the cross. 


i()8 Stories of King Arthur 

Anon Sir Launcelot awoke, and bethought 
him what he had seen there, and whether it were 
a dream or not. Right so heard he a voice that 
said : “ Sir Launcelot, more hard than is stone, 

more bitter than is wood, and more naked 
and barer than is the fig-tree, go thou from 
hence, and withdraw thee from this holy place.” 

When Sir Launcelot heard this he was passing 
heavy, and wist not what to do. So he arose, 
sore weeping, and cursed the time when he was 
born, for he thought never to have honor more. 
Then he went to the cross, and found his helm, 
his sword, and his horse taken away. Then he 
called himself a very wretch, and the most un- 
happy of all knights. And he said : “ My sin 

and my wickedness have brought me unto great 
dishonor. When I sought worldly adventures 
from worldly desires, I ever achieved them, and 
had the better in every place, and never was I 
discomfited in any quarrel, were it right or 
wrong. But now when I take upon me the ad- 
ventures of holy things, I see and understand 
that mine old sin hindereth and shameth me, so 
that I had no power to stir or to speak when the 
Holy Grail appeared afore me.” 

Thus he sorrowed till it was day, and he 
heard the birds sing. Then somewhat he was 


Sir Launcelot’s Repentance 199 

comforted, but, when he missed his horse and 
his harness, he wist well God was displeased with 
him. He departed from the cross on foot into a 
forest, and came to a hermitage, and a her- 
mit therein. There Launcelot kneeled down 
and cried on the Lord for mercy, and begged 
the hermit for charity to hear his confession. 

“ With a good will,” said the good man ; “ art 
thou of King Arthur’s court, and of the fellow- 
ship of the Round Table ? ” 

“ Yea, forsooth,” was the answer, “and my 
name is Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that hath 
been right well said of ; but now my good fortune 
is changed, for I am the worst wretch of the 
world.” 

The hermit beheld him, and had marvel how 
he was so humbled. 

“ Sir,” said he, “ thou oughtest to thank God 
more than any knight living, for he hath caused 
thee to have more worldly honor than any other 
knight that now liveth. For thy presumption in 
taking upon thee, while in deadly sin, to be in 
his presence through the sacred vessel, that was 
the cause that thou mightest not see it with 
worldly eyes, for he will not appear where such 
sinners be, unless to their great hurt and shame. 
There is no knight living now that ought to give 


200 


Stories of King Arthur 

God so great thanks as thou ; for he hath given 
thee beauty, seemliness, and great strength, above 
all other knights. Therefore thou art the more 
beholden unto God than any other man to love 
him and fear him; for thy strength and man- 
hood will little avail thee if God be against 
thee.” 

Then Sir Launcelot wept with heavy cheer, 
for he knew the hermit said sooth. 

“ Sir,” said the good man, “ hide none old 
sin from me.” 

“ Truly,” said Sir Launcelot, “ that were me 
full loath to disclose, for one thing that I have 
done I never disclosed these fourteen years, and 
for that may I now blame my shamelessness and 
my misadventure.” 

Then he told there that good man all his life, 
and how he had loved a queen unmeasurably, 
and out of measure long. “ And,” said he, “ ail 
my great deeds of arms that I have done, I did 
the most part for that queen’s sake. For her 
sake would I do battle, were it right or wrong ; 
and never did I battle wholly for God’s sake, but 
for to win honor and to make myself better be- 
loved, and little or naught I thanked God for it. 
I pray you counsel me.” 

“ I will counsel thee,” said the hermit, “ if thou 


Sir Launcelot’s Repentance 201 

wilt assure me that thou wilt never come into 
that queen’s companionship when thou canst 
prevent it.” This Sir Launcelot solemnly prom- 
ised, whereupon the good man said, “ Look that 
thy heart and mouth accord, and I assure thee 
thou shalt have more honor than ever thou hadst. 
For it seemeth well God loveth thee, and in all 
the world men shall not find one knight to whom 
he hath given so much grace as he hath given 
thee; he hath given thee beauty with seemli- 
ness ; he hath given thee wit, discretion to know 
good from evil ; he hath given thee prowess and 
hardiness ; and he hath given thee to work so 
largely that thou hast had at all times the better 
wheresoever thou earnest. And now our Lord 
will suffer thee no longer, but that thou shalt 
know him, whether thou wilt or nilt. 

“ Why the voice called thee bitterer than wood 
was because, where overmuch sin dwelleth, there 
may be but little sweetness ; wherefore thou art 
likened to an old rotten tree. Why thou art 
harder than is stone is because thou wilt not 
leave thy sin for any goodness that God hath 
sent thee ; therefore thou art more than any 
stone, and never wouldest thou be made soft, 
neither by water nor by fire, — that is, the heat of 
the Holy Ghost may not enter in thee. 


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Stories of King Arthur 

“ Now shall I show thee why thou art more 
naked and barer than the fig-tree. It befell that 
our Lord on Palm Sunday preached in Jerusalem, 
and there he found in the people that all hard- 
ness was harbored in them, and there he found 
in all the town not one that would harbor him. 
And then he went without the town, and found 
in the midst of the way a fig-tree, the which was 
right fair and well garnished of leaves, but fruit 
had it none. Then our Lord cursed the tree 
that bare no fruit ; that likeneth the fig-tree unto 
Jerusalem, that had leaves and no fruit. So 
thou, Sir Launcelot, when the Holy Grail was 
brought afore thee, he found in thee no fruit, nor 
good thought, nor good will, and thou wert be- 
fouled with sin.” 

“ Verily,” said Sir Launcelot, “ all that ye have 
said is true, and from henceforward I undertake 
by the grace of God never to be so wicked as I 
have been, but to follow knighthood and to do 
feats of arms.” 

Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot to 
such penance as he might do, and to sue knight- 
hood, and so blessed him, and prayed him to 
abide there all that day. “ I will well,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “ for I have neither helm, nor horse, 
nor sword.” 


Sir Launcelot’s Repentance 203 

“ As for that,” said the good man, “ I shall 
help you ere to-morn to a horse and all that be- 
longeth unto you.” And so Sir Launcelot re- 
pented him greatly. 


CHAPTER XXIX 


SIR PERCIVALE’S TEMPTATION 

W HEN Sir Percivale departed from the 
recluse to seek Sir Galahad, he rode 
till the hour of noon, when he met in 
a valley about twenty men of arms. As they 
saw him they asked him whence he was, and he 
answered, “ Of the court of King Arthur.” 
Then they cried all at once, “ Slay him.” Then 
Sir Percivale smote the first to the earth, and 
his horse upon him. Thereupon seven of the 
knights smote upon his shield all at once, and 
the remnant slew his horse, so that he fell to the 
earth. 

So had they slain him or taken him, had not 
the good knight Sir Galahad, with the red arms, 
come there by adventure into those parts. And 
when he saw all those knights upon one knight, 
he cried, “ Save me that knight’s life.” Then he 
dressed him towards the twenty men of arms as 
fast as his horse might drive, with his spear in 
the rest, and smote the foremost horse and man 
to the earth. And when his spear was broken 
204 


Sir Percivale’s Temptation 205 

he set his hand to his sword, and smote on the 
right hand and on the left hand, that it was 
marvel to see. At every stroke he smote one 
down, or put him to rebuke, so that they would 
fight no more, but fled to a thick forest, and Sir 
Galahad followed them. 

When Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, 
he made great sorrow that his horse was away, 
for he wist well it was Sir Galahad. Then 
he cried aloud, “ Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer 
me to do thankings unto thee, for much have ye 
done for me ! ” 

But ever Sir Galahad rode so fast, that at the 
last he passed out of his sight, and Sir Percivale 
went after him on foot as fast as he might. 
Soon he met a yeoman riding upon a hackney, 
who led in his hand a great black steed, blacker 
than any bear. 

“ Ah, fair friend,” said Sir Percivale, “ as ever 
I may do for you and be your true knight in the 
first place ye will require me, I beg ye will lend 
me that black steed, that I may overtake a knight, 
the which rideth afore me.” 

“ Sir knight,” said the yeoman, “ I pray you 
hold me excused of that, for that I may not do ; 
for wit ye well, the horse belongs to a man that, 
if I lent it you or any other man, would slay me.” 


206 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Alas,” said Sir Percivale, “ I had never so 
great sorrow as I have for losing of yonder 
knight.” 

“ Sir,” said the yeoman, “ I am right heavy for 
you, for a good horse would beseem you well, 
but I dare not deliver you this horse unless ye 
take it from me.” 

“ That will I not do,” said Sir Percivale. 

So they departed, and Sir Percivale sat him down 
under a tree, and made sorrow out of measure. 
Anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as 
ever he might, and asked Sir Percivale, “ Saw ye, 
sir, any knight riding on my black steed ? It 
hath been taken from me by force, wherefore my 
lord will slay me in what place he findeth me.” 

“ Well,” said Sir Percivale, “ what wouldest 
thou that I did ? Thou seest well that I am on 
foot, but had I a good horse I should bring him 
soon again.” 

“ Sir,” said the yeoman, “ take my hackney 
and do the best ye can, and I shall follow you on 
foot, to wit how that ye shall speed.” 

Then Sir Percivale mounted upon that hack- 
ney, and rode as fast as he might. At the last he 
saw the knight on the black steed, and cried out 
to him to turn again. And he turned, and set 
his spear against Sir Percivale; and he smote 


Sir Percivale’s Temptation 207 

the hackney in the midst of the breast, that he 
fell down dead to the earth. There Sir Perci- 
vale had a great fall, and the other rode his way. 

Sir Percivale was very wroth, and cried, 
“ Abide, wicked knight, coward and false-hearted 
knight, turn again and fight with me on foot.” 

He answered not, but passed on his way. 
When Sir Percivale saw he would not turn, he 
cast away his helm and sword, and thought him- 
self unhappy above all other knights. 

In this sorrow he abode all that day till it was 
night. Then he was faint, and laid him down and 
slept till it was midnight. Then he awaked, 
and saw afore him a woman which said unto him 
right fiercely, “ Sir Percivale, abide here, and I 
shall go fetch you a horse, which shall bear you 
whither ye will.” 

So she came soon again, and brought a horse 
with her that was inky black. When Sir Perci- 
vale beheld that horse, he marveled that it was 
so great and so well appareled. Courageously 
he leaped upon him, and took no heed of him- 
self. As soon as ever he was mounted he thrust 
in the spurs, and so rode away by the forest, and 
the moon shone clear. 

Within an hour, and less, the black steed bare 
him four days’ journey thence, till he came to a 


208 Stories of King Arthur 

rough water the which roared, and his horse 
would have borne him into it. And when Sir 
Percivale came nigh the brim, and saw the water 
so boisterous, he feared to overpass it. Then he 
made a sign of the cross in his forehead, where- 
upon the horse shook off Sir Percivale, and he 
fell into the water, crying and roaring, making 
great sorrow ; and it seemed unto him that the 
water burned. Then Sir Percivale perceived the 
steed was a fiend, the which would have brought 
him unto his perdition. Then he commended 
himself unto God, and prayed our Lord to keep 
him from all such temptations. 

So he prayed all that night till it was day. 
Then he saw that he was in a wild mountain the 
which was closed with the sea nigh all about, so 
that he might see no land about him which might 
relieve him. Then was Sir Percivale ware in the 
sea, and saw a ship come sailing towards him ; 
and he went unto the ship, and found it covered 
within and without with white samite. At the 
board stood an old man clothed in a surplice in 
likeness of a priest. 

“ Sir/’ said Sir Percivale, “ ye be welcome.” 

“ God keep you,” said the good man, “ of 
whence be ye ? ” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Percivale, “ I am of King 


Sir Percivale’s Temptation 209 

Arthur’s court, and a knight of the Table Round, 
the which am in the quest of the Holy Grail. 
Here I am in great duress, and never likely to 
escape out of this wilderness.” 

“ Doubt not,” said the good man, “ if ye be so 
true a knight as the order of chivalry requireth, 
and of heart as ye ought to be, ye need not fear 
that any enemy shall slay you.” 

“ What are ye ? ” said Sir Percivale. 

“ Sir,” said the old man, “ I am of a strange 
country, and hither I come to comfort you, and 
to warn you of your great battle that shall befall 
you.” 

“ With whom,” said Sir Percivale, “ shall I 
fight ? ” 

“ With the most champion of the world,” said 
the old man, “ but, if ye quit you well, ye shall 
lose no limb, even though vanquished and seem- 
ingly shamed to the world’s end.” 

Then the good man leaped over the board, and 
the ship and all went away, Sir Percivale wist 
not whither. He abode there till midday, when 
he saw a ship come rowing in the sea as if all the 
winds of the world had driven it. It drove under 
the rock on which he sat; and when he hied 
thither he found the ship covered with silk 
blacker than any bier, and therein was a gentle- 


210 


Stories of King Arthur 

woman of great beauty, and she was clothed 
richly that none might be better. 

When she saw Sir Percivale, she said, “ Who 
brought you in this wilderness where ye be never 
like to pass hence ? for ye shall die here for 
hunger and mischief.” 

“ Damsel,” said Sir Percivale, “ I serve the best 
man of the world, and in his service he will not 
suffer me to die, for who that knocketh shall 
enter, and who that asketh shall have, and from 
the man that seeketh him, he hideth him 
not.” 

“ And I came out of the waste forest where I 
found the red knight with the white shield,” said 
the damsel. 

“ Ah, damsel,” said he, “ with that knight 
would I meet passing fain.” 

“ Sir,” said she, “ if ye will ensure me, by the 
faith that ye owe unto knighthood, that ye will 
do my will what time I summon you, I shall bring 
you unto that knight.” 

“Yea,” said he, “ I shall promise you to fulfill 
your desire. But what are ye that proffereth me 
thus great kindness ? ” 

“ I am,” said she, “ a gentlewoman that am 
disherited, which was sometime the richest 
woman of the world.” 


Sir Percivale’s Temptation 211 

“ Damsel,” said Sir Percivale, “ who hath dis- 
herited you ? for I have great pity of you.” 

“ Sir,” said she, “ I dwelt with the greatest man 
of the world, and he made me so fair and so clear 
that there was none like me, and of that 
great beauty I had a little pride, more than I 
ought to have had. Also I said a word that 
pleased him not, and then he would not suffer me 
to be any longer in his company. He drove me 
from mine heritage, and so disowned me, and he 
had never pity for me, and would none of my 
council nor of my court. Since, sir knight, it 
hath befallen me so, I and mine have taken from 
him many of his men, and have made them to 
become my men, for they ask never anything of 
me, but I give it them, that and much more. 
Therefore I and my servants war against him 
night and day. I know now no good knight and 
no good man but I get him on my side, if I may. 
And since I know that ye are a good knight, I be- 
seech you to help me ; and since ye are a fellow 
of the Round Table, ye ought not to fail any 
gentlewoman which is disherited, if she beseech 
you of help.” 

Then Sir Percivale promised her all the help that 
he might. She thanked him, and since the weather 
was at that time hot, she bade a gentlewoman 


212 


Stories of King Arthur 

bring a pavilion. So she did, and pitched it there 
upon the gravel. He slept a great while there in 
the heat of the day ; and when he awoke, there 
was set before him upon a table all manner of 
meats that he could think of. Also he drank 
there the strongest wine that ever he drank, him 
thought, and therewith he was a little heated 
more than he ought to be. With that he beheld 
the gentlewoman, and him thought that she was 
the fairest creature that ever he saw. 

When she saw him well refreshed, then she 
said, “ Sir Percivale, wit ye well, I shall not fulfill 
your will, but if ye swear from henceforth to be 
my true servant, and to do nothing but that I 
shall command you. Will ye ensure me this as 
ye be a true knight? ” 

Sir Percivale was on the point of promising 
her all, when by adventure and grace he saw his 
sword lie upon the ground, all naked, in whose 
pommel was a red cross. Then he bethought 
him of his knighthood and the warning spoken 
toforehand by the good man, and he made the 
sign of the cross in his forehead. Thereupon the 
pavilion turned up-so-down, and changed unto a 
smoke and a black cloud. 

Sir Percivale was adread at this, and cried 
aloud, “Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ, let me 


Sir Percivale’s Temptation 213 

not be shamed, that was nigh lost, had not thy 
good grace been ! ” 

Then he looked upon the ship, and saw the 
damsel enter therein, which said, “ Sir Percivale, 
ye have betrayed me." So she went with the 
wind roaring and yelling, that it seemed that all 
the water burned after her. 

Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and 
drew his sword unto him saying, “ Since my flesh 
will be my master, I shall punish it." Therewith 
he stabbed himself through the thigh so that the 
blood started, and he said, “ O good Lord, take 
this in recompensation of that I have done against 
thee, my Lord." Then he clothed him and 
armed him, and called himself a wretch, saying, 
“ How nigh was I lost, and to have lost that I 
should never have gotten again, my honor as a 
pure man and worthy knight, for that may never 
be recovered after it is once lost." 

As he thus made his moan, he saw the same 
ship come from the Orient that the good man 
was in the day before, and the noble knight was 
ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a 
swoon. When he awoke he went unto this good 
man weakly, and saluted him. Then he asked 
Sir Percivale, “ How hast thou done since I de- 
parted? " 


214 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Sir,” said he, “ here was a gentlewoman that 
led me into deadly sin,” and there he told him 
all his temptation. 

“ Knew ye not the maid ? ” said the good man. 

“ Sir,” said he, “ nay ; but well I wot the fiend 
sent her hither to shame me.” 

“ Oh, good knight,” said he, “ that gentlewoman 
was the master fiend of hell, the champion that 
thou foughtest withal, the which would have 
overcome thee, had it not been for the grace of 
God. Now, beware. Sir Percivale, and take this 
for an ensample.” 

Then the good man vanished away, and Sir 
Percivale took his arms, and entered into the ship 
and so departed from thence. 


CHAPTER XXX 


THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF 

W HEN Sir Bors was departed from 
Vagon, he met with a religious man 
riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted 
him. Anon the good man knew him to be one 
of the knights-errant that was in the quest of the 
Holy Grail. 

“ What are ye ? ” said the good man. 

“ Sir,” said he, “ I am a knight that fain would 
be counseled in the quest of the Holy Grail, for 
he shall have much earthly honor that may bring 
it to an end.” 

“ Verily,” said the good man, “ that is sooth, 
for he shall be the best knight of the world, and 
the fairest of all the fellowship. But wit ye 
well, there shall none attain it but by cleanness 
of heart and of life.” 

So rode they together till they came to a her- 
mitage, and there he prayed Bors to dwell all 
that night with him. So he alighted and put 
away his armor, and prayed him that he might be 
confessed. So they went into the chapel, and 
21 5 


216 Stories of King Arthur 

there he was clean confessed ; and they ate bread 
and drank water together. 

“ Now,” said the good man, “ I pray thee that 
thou eat none other, till that thou sit at the table 
where the Holy Grail shall be.” 

“ Sir,” said he, “ I agree thereto ; but how wit 
ye that I shall sit there ? ” 

“ Yes,” said the good man, “ that know I, but 
there shall be few of your fellowship with 
you.” 

“ All is welcome,” said Sir Bors, “ that God 
sendeth me.” 

Also the good man in sign of chastisement 
put on him a scarlet coat, instead of his shirt, and 
found him in so vigorous a life, and so stable, 
that he marveled, and felt that he was never cor- 
rupt in fleshly lusts. Then Sir Bors put on his 
armor, and took his leave, and so departed. 

After he had ridden a day or two on his road, 
he met about the hour of noon at the parting of 
two ways two knights, that led Lionel, his brother, 
bound upon a strong hackney and his hands 
bound tofore his breast. Each of the two held 
in his hands thorns, wherewith they went beating 
him so sore that the blood trailed down more 
than in a hundred places of his body. But he 
said never a word, as he which was great of heart ; 


The Victory of Sir Bors Over Himself 217 

he suffered all that ever they did to him as 
though he had felt none anguish. 

Anon Sir Bors dressed him to rescue him that 
was his brother. Just then he chanced to look 
upon his other side, and saw a knight which 
brought a fair gentlewoman, and would have 
dragged her into the thickest part of the forest 
out of the way of them that sought to rescue her. 

Anon she espied where Sir Bors came riding. 
She deemed him a knight of the Round Table, 
wherefore she hoped to have some comfort ; and 
she conjured him by the faith that he owed unto 
him in whose service he had entered, and the 
fidelity he owed unto the high order of knight- 
hood, and for the noble King Arthurs sake, to 
help her in her sore distress. 

When Sir Bors heard her cry, he had so much 
sorrow he knew not what to do. “ For,” said he, 
“ if I let my brother be in adventure he must be 
slain, and that would I not for all the earth. 
And if I help not the maid in her peril, I am 
shamed forever.” Then he lifted up his eyes, 
and said weeping, “Fair Lord Jesu Christ, whose 
liege man I am, keep Lionel my brother, that 
these knights slay him not ; and for Mary’s sake, 
I shall succor this maid.” 

Then dressed he him unto the knight the 


2i8 Stories of King Arthur 

which had the gentlewoman, and cried, “ Sir 
knight, let your hand off that maiden, or ye be 
but a dead man.” 

The knight set down the maiden, and drew out 
his sword, but Bors smote him so hard that he 
beat him down to the earth. Then came twelve 
knights seeking the gentlewoman, and anon she 
told them all how Bors had delivered her. They 
made great joy, and besought him to come to 
her father, a noble lord ; but Bors had a great 
adventure in hand, and might not delay. So he 
commended them unto God, and departed. 

Then Sir Bors rode after Lionel his brother by 
the trace of their horses. He sought a great 
while; and at the last he overtook a man clothed in 
religious clothing, that told him Lionel was dead, 
and showed him a slain body, lying in a thicket, 
that well seemed to him the body of Lionel. 
Then he made such a sorrow that he fell to the 
earth all in a swoon, and lay a great while there. 

When he came to himself he said, “ Fair 
brother, since the company of you and me is 
parted, shall I never have joy in my heart; and 
now he which I have taken as to my Master, 
he be my help.” 

When he had said thus, he took the body lightly 
in his arms and put it upon the bow of his sad- 


The Victory of Sir Bors Over Himself 219 

die, and so rode to an old feeble chapel fast by, 
and put him into a tomb of marble. 

Then went Sir Bors from thence, and rode all 
that day, and then turned to a hermitage at the 
entry of a forest. There he found Lionel his 
brother, which sat all armed at the chapel door. 
For he was yet on life, and a fiend had deceived 
Bors with the body left in the chapel, for to put 
him in error so that he might not find the blessed 
adventure of the Holy Grail. 

When Sir Bors saw his brother alive he had 
great joy of him, that it was marvel to tell of his 
joy. And then he alighted off his horse, and 
said, “ Fair sweet brother, when came ye hither ? ” 

Anon as Sir Lionel saw him he said, “ Ah, 
Bors, ye may make no boast. For all you I 
might have been slain. When ye saw two 
knights leading me away, beating me, ye left me 
for to succor a gentlewoman, and suffered me to 
remain in peril of death. Never before did any 
brother to another so great an untruth. And for 
that misdeed now I ensure you but death, for 
well have ye deserved it. Therefore guard your- 
self from henceforward, and that shall ye find 
needful as soon as I am armed.” 

When Sir Bors understood his brother’s wrath, 
he kneeled down to the earth and cried him 


220 


Stories of King Arthur 

mercy, holding up both his hands, and prayed 
him to forgive him his evil will ; but Lionel 
would show no pity, and made his avow to God 
that he should have only death. Right so he 
Went in and put on his harness ; then he mounted 
upon his horse and came tofore him, and said, 
“ Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do to thee 
as I would to a felon or a traitor, for ye be the 
untruest knight that ever came out of so worthy 
a house as was that of our father, King Bors of 
Ganis.” 

When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his 
brother or else die, he wist not what to do. 
Then his heart counseled him not to fight, inas- 
much as Lionel was born before him, wherefore 
he ought to bear him reverence. Again kneeled 
he down afore Lionel's horse’s feet, and said, 
“ Fair sweet brother, have mercy upon me and 
slay me not, and have in remembrance the great 
love which ought to be between us twain.” 

What Sir Bors said Lionel recked not, for the 
fiend had brought him in such a will that he was 
determined to slay him. Then when Lionel saw 
he would none other, and that he would not rise 
to give him battle, he rushed over him, so that 
his horse’s feet smote Bors to the earth, and hurt 
him so sore that he swooned of distress. When 


The Victory of Sir Bors Over Himself 221 

Lionel saw this, he alighted from his horse to 
smite off his head. So he took him by the helm, 
and would have rent it from his head, had not 
the hermit come running unto him, which was a 
good man and of great age. Well had he heard all 
the words that were between them, and so fell 
down upon Sir Bors. 

Then he said to Lionel, “ Ah, gentle knight, 
have mercy upon me and on thy brother, for if 
thou slay him thou shalt commit a deadly sin, 
and that were sorrowful ; for he is one of the 
worthiest knights of the world, and of the best 
conditions." 

“ So God me help," said Lionel, “sir priest, un- 
less ye flee from him I shall slay you, and he 
shall never the sooner be quit." 

“ Verily," said the good man, “ I had liever ye 
slay me than him, for my death shall not be great 
harm, not half so much as his." 

“ Well," said Lionel, “ I am agreed ;" and he 
set his hand to his sword, and smote the hermit 
so hard that his head went backward. 

For all that, he restrained him not of his evil 
will, but took his brother by the helm, and un- 
laced it to strike off his head. And he would 
have slain him without fail, but so it happened 
that Colgrevance, a fellow of the Round Table, 


222 


Stories of King Arthur 

came at that time thither, as our Lord’s will was. 
First he saw the good man slain, then he beheld 
how Lionel would slay his brother, whom he 
knew and loved right well. Anon he sprang 
down and took Lionel by the shoulders, and drew 
him strongly back from Bors, and said, “ Lionel, 
will ye slay your brother, one of the worthiest 
knights of the world ? That should no good 
man suffer.” 

“ Why,” said Sir Lionel, “ will ye hinder me ? 
If ye interfere in this, I shall slay you, and him 
after.” 

Then Lionel ran upon Bors, and would have 
smitten him through the head, but Sir Colgrev- 
ance ran betwixt them, and said, “ If ye be so 
hardy as to do so more, we two shall meddle to- 
gether.” 

Then Lionel defied him, and gave a great 
stroke through the helm. Now Colgrevance 
drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, 
and defended himself right manfully. So long 
endured the battle that Sir Bors awoke from 
his swoon, and rose up all anguishly, and beheld 
Sir Colgrevance, the good knight, fight with 
his brother for his quarrel. Then was he full 
sorry and heavy, and would have risen to part 
them. But he had not so much might as to stand 


The Victory of Sir Bors Over Himself 223 

on foot, and must abide so long till Colgrevance 
had the worse, for Sir Lionel was of great chivalry 
and right hardy. 

Only death awaited Colgrevance, when he be- 
held Sir Bors assaying to rise, and he cried, “ Ah 
Bors, come ye and cast me out of peril of death, 
wherein I have put me to succor you, which 
were right now nigh to death.” 

When Bors heard that, he did so much as to 
rise and put on his helm, making a marvelous 
sorrow at the sight of the dead hermit hard by. 
With that Lionel smote Colgrevance so sore that 
he bare him to the earth. 

When he had slain Colgrevance, he ran upon 
his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such 
a stroke that he made him stoop ; and he, full of 
humility, prayed him for God’s love to leave this 
battle. But Lionel would not, and then Bors 
drew his sword, all weeping, and said, “ Fair 
brother, God knoweth mine intent. Ah, brother, 
ye have done full evil this day to slay such a holy 
priest, the which never trespassed. Also ye have 
slain a gentle knight, one of our fellows. And 
well wot ye that I am not afraid of you greatly, 
but I dread the wrath of God. This is an un- 
kindly war ; therefore may God show miracle 
upon us both. Now God have mercy upon 


224 Stories of King Arthur 

me, though I defend my life against my 
brother.” 

With that Bors lifted up his hands, and would 
have smitten Lionel, but even then he heard a 
voice that said, “ Flee, Bors, and touch him not.” 

Right so came a cloud betwixt them in like- 
ness of’ a fire, so that both their shields burned. 
Then were they sore afraid, and fell both to the 
earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon. 
When they came to themselves, Bors saw that 
his brother had no harm, wherefore he gave 
thanks, for he feared God had taken vengeance 
upon him. With that he heard a voice say, 
“ Bors, go hence and bear thy brother no longer 
fellowship, but take thy way anon right to the 
sea, for Sir Percivale abideth thee there.” 

So Sir Bors departed from Lionel, and rode the 
next way to the sea. On the strand he found a 
ship covered all with white samite. He alighted 
from his horse and entered into the ship, and 
anon it departed into the sea, and went so fast 
that him seemed the ship went flying. Then he 
saw in the midst of the ship a knight lie, all 
armed save his helm, and he knew that it was 
Sir Percivale. And either made great joy of 
other, that it was marvel to hear. 

Then Sir Bors told Sir Percivale how he came 


The Victory of Sir Bors Over Himself 225 

into the ship, and by whose admonishment, and 
either told other of his temptations, as ye have 
heard toforehand. So went they downward in 
the sea, one while backward, another while for- 
ward, and each comforted other, and oft were they 
in their prayers. Then said Sir Percivale, “ We 
lack nothing but Galahad, the good knight.” 


CHAPTER XXXI 


HOW SIR LAUNCELOT FOUND THE HOLY 
GRAIL 

W HEN the hermit had kept Sir Launce- 
lot three days, he gat him a horse, a 
helm, and a sword. So he departed, 
and took the adventure that God would send 
him. On a night, as he slept, there came a 
vision unto him, and a voice said, “ Launcelot, 
arise up, and take thine armor, and enter into the 
first ship that thou shalt find.” 

When he heard these words, he started up and 
saw great clearness about him. Then he lifted 
up his hand in worship, and so took his arms, 
and made him ready. By adventure he came by 
a strand, and found a ship, the which was with- 
out sail or oar. And as soon as he was within 
the ship, he felt the most sweetness that ever he 
felt, and he was filled with a peace such as he 
had never known before. In this joy he laid 
himself down on the ship’s board, and slept till 
day. 


226 


Sir Launcelot Found the Holy Grail 227 

So Sir Launcelot was a month and more on 
the ship, and if ye would ask how he lived, as 
God fed the people of Israel with manna in the 
desert, so was he fed. On a night he went to 
play him by the waterside, for he was somewhat 
weary of the ship. And then he listened and 
heard a horse come, and one riding upon him. 
When he came nigh he seemed a knight, and 
soon he saw that it was Galahad. And there 
was great joy between them, for there is no 
tongue can tell the joy that they made either of 
other ; and there was many a friendly word spoken 
between them, the which need not here be re- 
hearsed. And there each told other of the ad- 
ventures and marvels that were befallen to them 
in many journeys since they were departed from 
the court. 

So dwelled Launcelot and Galahad within that 
ship half a year, and served God daily and 
nightly with all their power. And often they 
arrived in isles far from folk, where there repaired 
none but wild beasts. There they found many 
strange adventures and perilous, which they 
brought to an end. But because the adventures 
were with wild beasts, and not in the quest of 
the Holy Grail, therefore the tale maketh here 
no mention thereof, for it would be too long 


228 Stories of King Arthur 

to tell of all those adventures that befell 
them. 

Thereafter it befell that they arrived in the 
edge of a forest tofore a cross, and then saw they 
a knight, armed all in white and richly horsed, 
leading in his right hand a white horse. He 
came to the ship and saluted the two knights on 
the high Lord’s behalf, and said, “ Galahad, sir, ye 
have been long enough with Launcelot. Come 
out of the ship, and start upon this horse, and go 
where the adventures shall lead thee in the quest 
of the Holy Grail.” 

So Galahad took sorrowful leave of Sir Launce- 
lot, for they knew that one should never see the 
other before the dreadful day of doom. Galahad 
took his horse and entered into the forest, and 
the wind arose and drove Launcelot more than a 
month throughout the sea, where he slept little, 
but prayed to God that he might see some tid- 
ings of the Holy Grail. 

And it befell on a night, at midnight, he ar- 
rived afore a castle, on the back side, which was 
rich and fair. There was a postern opened 
towards the sea, and was open without any keep- 
ing, save two lions kept the entry ; and the moon 
shone clear. Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice 
that said, “ Launcelot, go out of this ship, and 


Sir Launcelot Found the Holy Grail 229 

enter into the castle, where thou shalt see a great 
part of thy desire.” 

Then he ran for his arms, and so he went to 
the gate, and saw the lions. He set his hand to 
his sword, and drew it, whereupon there came a 
dwarf suddenly, and smote him on the arm so 
sore that the sword fell out of his hand. Then 
heard he a voice say, “ Oh, man of evil faith and 
poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more on thy 
harness than in thy Maker ? He in whose serv- 
ice thou art set might more avail thee than thine 
armor.” 

Then said Launcelot/' Fair Father Jesu Christ, 
I thank thee of thy great mercy, that thou re- 
provest me of my misdeed. Now see I well that 
ye hold me for your servant.” 

Then took he again his sword, and put it up in 
his sheath, and came to the lions, and they made 
semblant to do him harm. Notwithstanding he 
passed by them without hurt, and entered into 
the castle to the chief fortress, and there were all 
at rest. Launcelot entered in so armed, for he 
found no gate nor door but it was open. At 
last he found a chamber whereof the door was 
shut, and he set his hand thereto to open it, but 
he might not, though' he enforced himself mickle 
to undo the door. 


230 Stories of King Arthur 

Then he listened, and heard a voice which sang 
so sweetly that it seemed none earthly thing. 
Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber, for 
well wist he that there was the Holy Grail within 
that chamber. Then said he: “Fair sweet 
Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that 
pleased thee, for thy pity have me not in despite 
for my sins done aforetime, and show me some- 
thing of that I seek ! ” 

With that he saw the chamber door open, and 
there came out a great clearness, so that the house 
was as bright as if all the torches of the world had 
been there. So came he to the chamber door, 
and would have entered, but anon a voice said to 
him, “ Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou 
oughtest not to do it; and if thou enter thou 
shalt repent it.” 

He withdrew himself back right heavy, and 
then looked he up in the midst of the chamber, 
and saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel 
covered with red samite, and many angels about 
it. Right so came he to the door at a great 
pace, entered into the chamber, and drew towards 
the table of silver. 

When he came nigh he felt a breath that 
seemed intermingled with fire, which smote him 
so sore in the visage that he thought it burned 



STONEHENGE. 
(From a photograph.) 











Sir Launcelot Found the Holy Grail 231 

his visage. Therewith he fell to the earth, and 
had no power to arise. Then felt he many hands 
about him, which took him up and bare him out 
of the chamber door, and left him there seeming 
dead to all people. 

Upon the morrow, when it was fair day, they 
within were arisen, and found Launcelot lying 
afore the chamber door, and all they marveled 
how he came in. They looked upon him, and 
felt his pulse, to wit whether there were any life 
in him. And so they found life in him, but he 
might neither stand nor stir any limb that he 
had. They took him up, and bare him into 
a chamber, and laid him in a rich bed, far from all 
folk, and so he lay still as a dead man four and 
twenty days, in punishment, he afterwards 
thought, for the twenty-four years that he had 
been a sinner. 

At the twenty-fifth day it befell that he opened 
his eyes, and the folk asked how it stood with 
him. He answered that he was whole of body, 
and then he would know where he was. They 
told him he was in the castle of Carboneck, and 
that the quest of the Holy Grail had been 
achieved by him, and that he should never see 
the sacred vessel more nearly than he had seen it. 

Soon Sir Launcelot took his leave of all the 


232 Stories of King Arthur 

fellowship that were there at the castle, and 
thanked them for the great labor. So he took 
his armor and departed, and said that he would 
go back to the realm of Logris. 


CHAPTER XXXII 


THE END OF THE QUEST 

N OW, saith the story, Sir Galahad rode 
into a vast forest, wherein he rode many 
journeys, and he found many adven- 
tures, the which he brought to an end, whereof 
the story maketh here no mention. And on a 
day it befell him that he was benighted in a 
hermitage. The good man there was glad when 
he saw he was a knight-errant, and made him 
what cheer he might. Then when they were at 
rest, there came a gentlewoman knocking at the 
door, and called Galahad. So the hermit came 
to the door to wit what she would, and she said 
to him that she would speak with the knight 
that was lodged there. The good man awoke 
Galahad, and bade him arise and speak with a 
gentlewoman that seemed to have great need of 
him. 

Then Galahad went to her, and asked her 
what she would. “ Galahad,” said she, “ I will 
that ye arm you, and mount upon your horse 
and follow me, for I shall show you within these 
2 33 


234 Stories of King Arthur 

three days the highest adventure that ever any 
knight saw.” Anon Galahad armed him, and 
took his horse, and bade the gentlewoman go, 
and he would follow as she liked. 

So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear 
her, till they came to the seaside, and there they 
found the ship wherein were Bors and Percivale, 
the which cried on the ship’s board, “ Sir Gala- 
had, ye be welcome ; we have awaited you 
long.” 

So, leaving his horse behind, Galahad entered 
into the ship, where the two knights received him 
with great joy. And the wind arose, and drove 
them through the sea marvelously. 

Now saith the story that they rode a great 
while till they came to the castle of Carboneck, 
where Sir Launcelot had been tofore. They 
entered within the castle, and then there was 
great joy, for they wist well that they had ful- 
filled the quest of the Holy Grail. 

As they were alone in the hall, it seemed to 
them that there came a man, in likeness of a 
bishop, with four angels from heaven, and held 
mass about a table of silver, whereupon the Holy 
Grail was. And in a vision they saw in the bread 
of the sacrament a figure in likeness of a child, 
and the visage was as bright as any fire. 


The End of the Quest 235 

Then said the bishop to them, “ Servants of 
Jesu Christ, ye shall- be fed afore this table with 
sweet food, that never knights tasted.” 

When he had said, he vanished away ; and 
they sat them at the table in great reverence, and 
made their prayers. Then looked they, and saw a 
man that had all the signs of the passion of Jesu 
Christ, and he said : “ My knights and my serv- 
ants and my true children, which be come out 
of deadly life into spiritual life, I will now no 
longer hide me from you, but ye shall see now 
a part of my secrets and of my hid things ; now 
hold and receive the high meat which ye have so 
much desired.” 

Then took he himself the holy vessel, and 
came to Galahad, who knelt down and there he 
received the sacrament, and after him so received 
all his fellows ; and they thought it so sweet that 
it was marvelous to tell. 

Then said he to Galahad, “ Son, wotest thou 
what I hold betwixt my hands ? ” 

“ Nay,” said he, “ unless ye will tell me.” 

“ This is,” said he, “ the holy dish wherein I 
ate the lamb at the Last Supper. And now hast 
thou seen that thou most desiredst to see, but 
yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt 
see it in the city of Sarras, in the spiritual place. 


236 Stories of King Arthur 

Therefore thou must go hence, and bear with 
thee this holy vessel, for this night it shall depart 
from the realm of Logris, that it shall never be 
seen more here. And wotest thou wherefore? 
Because they of this land be turned to evil living ; 
therefore I shall disinherit them of the honor 
which I have done them. Therefore go ye 
three unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship 
ready.” 

Right so departed Galahad, Percivale and Bors 
with him. They rode three days, and then they 
came to a rivage, where they found the ship 
whereof the tale speaketh tofore. When they 
came to the board, they found in the midst the 
table of silver, which they had left in the castle 
of Carboneck, and the Holy Grail, which was 
covered with red samite. Then were they glad 
to have such things in their fellowship. 

They had remained some time in the ship, 
when they awoke of a morning to see the city 
of Sarras afore them. Here they landed, and 
took out of the ship the table of silver, Percivale 
and Bors going tofore and Galahad behind. 
Right so they went to the city, and at the gate 
of the city they saw an old bent man. Then 
Galahad called him, and bade him help to bear 
this heavy thing. 


The End of the Quest < 237 

“ Truly/* said the old man, “ it is ten years 
since I might go without crutches/* 

“ Care thou not,” said Galahad ; “ arise up and 
show thy good will/* 

So he assayed, and found himself as whole as 
ever he was. Then ran he to the table, and took 
one part opposite Galahad. 

Anon arose there great noise in the city, that 
a cripple was made whole by knights marvelous 
that entered into the city. When the king of 
the city, which was called Estorause, saw the fel- 
lowship, he asked them from whence they were, 
and what thing it was that they had brought 
upon the table of silver. And they told him the 
truth of the Holy Grail, and the power which 
God had set there. 

Now King Estorause was a tyrant, and was 
come of a line of pagans. He took the three 
knights and put them in a deep hole. But 
as soon as they were there our Lord sent them 
the Holy Grail, through whose grace they 
were always satisfied while that they were in 
prison. 

At the year’s end it befell that this king lay 
sick, and felt that he should die. Then he sent 
for the three knights. They came afore him, and 
he cried them mercy of that he had done to 


238 Stories of King Arthur 

them, and they forgave it him goodly, and he 
died anon. 

When the king was dead, all the city was dis- 
mayed, and wist not who might be their king. 
Right so as they were in counsel, there came a 
voice among them, and bade them choose the 
youngest knight of them there to be their king, 
for he should well maintain them and all theirs. 
So they made Galahad king by all the assent of 
the whole city. 

When he was come to behold the land, he let 
make about the table of silver a chest of gold and 
of precious stones that covered the holy vessel ; 
and every day early the three fellows would come 
afore it and make their prayers. 

Now at the year’s end the three knights arose 
early and came to the palace, and saw before them 
the holy vessel, and a man kneeling, in likeness of 
a bishop, that had about him a great fellowship of 
angels. And he called Galahad and said to him, 
“Come forth, thou servant of Jesu Christ, and 
thou shalt see that thou hast much desired to see.” 

Then Galahad began to tremble right hard, 
when the deadly flesh began to behold the 
spiritual things. Then he held up his hands to- 
wards heaven, and said, “ Lord, I thank thee, for 
now I see what hath been my desire many a day. 


The End of the Quest 239 

Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it 
might please thee, Lord.” 

Therewith the good man took the sacrament 
and proffered it to Galahad, and he received it 
right gladly and meekly. 

“Now, wotest thou what I am?” said the 
good man; “I am Joseph of Arimathea, which 
our Lord hath sent here to thee to bear thee 
fellowship. And wotest thou wherefore he 
hath sent me more than any other? For thou 
hast resembled me in two things, in that thou 
hast seen the marvels of the Holy Grail, and in 
that thou hast been a clean and virtuous knight, 
as I have been and am.” 

When these words had been spoken, Galahad 
went to Percivale and to Bors and kissed them 
and commended them to God, and said, “ Salute 
me to my lord Sir Launcelot, and bid him re- 
member of this unstable world.” 

Therewith he kneeled down tofore the table 
and made his prayers, and then suddenly his soul 
departed to Jesu Christ, and a great multitude of 
angels bare his soul up to heaven, and the two 
fellows might well behold it. Also they saw 
come from heaven a hand, but they saw not the 
body ; and it came right to the vessel, and took 
it, and bare it up to heaven. Since then was 


240 Stories of King Arthur 

there never man so hard as to say that he had 
seen the Holy Grail. 

When Percivale and Bors saw Galahad had 
died, they made as much sorrow as ever did two 
men ; and if they had not been good men, they 
might lightly have fallen in despair. And the 
people of the country and of the city were right 
heavy. And then he was buried. And as 
soon as he was buried, Sir Percivale betook him- 
self to a hermitage out of the city, where for 
a year and two months he lived a full holy life, 
and then passed out of this world. 

When Bors saw that he was alone in so far 
countries, he departed from Sarras and came to 
the sea. There he entered into a ship, and so it 
befell that in good adventure he came into the 
realm of Logris. And he rode to Camelot, 
where King Arthur was, and then was there great 
joy made of him in the court, for they believed 
all that he was dead, forasmuch as he had been so 
long out of the country. 

When they had eaten, the King made great 
clerks to come afore him, that they should chron- 
icle of the high adventures of the good knights. 
When Bors had told of the adventures of the 
Holy Grail, such as had befallen him and his two 
fellows, that was Percivale and Galahad, then 


2 4 1 


The End of the Quest 

Launcelot told the adventures of the Holy Grail 
that he had seen. All this was made in great 
books, and put in chests at Salisbury. 


CHAPTER XXXIII 


STR LAUNCELOT AND THE FAIR MAID 
OF ASTOLAT 

FTER the quest of the Holy Grail was 



fulfilled, and all knights that were left 


JL JL alive were come again unto the Table 
Round, then was there great joy in the court, 
and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guen- 
ever made great joy of the remnant that were 
come home. Passing glad were the King and 
the Queen of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Bors, for 
they had been long away in the quest of the 
Holy Grail. 

Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot began 
to resort unto Queen Guenever again, and forgat 
the promise that he made in the quest. For, 
had he not been in his privy thoughts and in his 
mind so set inwardly to the Queen, as he was in 
seeming outward to God, there had no knight 
passed him in the quest of the Holy Grail. But 
ever his thoughts were privily on the Queen, 
more than toforehand, so that many in the court 
spake of it, and in especial Sir Agravaine, Sir 


242 


The Fair Maid of Astolat 243 

Gawaine’s brother, for he was ever open 
mouthed. 

Thus it passed forth till on a day the King let 
cry great jousts and a tournament that should be 
at Camelot, that is Winchester, and thither came 
many knights. So King Arthur made him ready 
to depart to these jousts, and would have had the 
Queen with him, but she would not go, pre- 
tending to be sick. This grieved the King, for 
such a fellowship of knights had not been seen 
together since the Whitsuntide when Galahad 
departed from the court. And many deemed the 
Queen would not be there because of Sir Laun- 
celot of the Lake, who would not ride with the 
King, for he said he was not whole of a wound. 

So when the King was departed, the Queen 
called Sir Launcelot unto her, and told him he 
was greatly to blame, thus to hold himself behind 
his lord, and counseled him to take his way to- 
wards the tournament at Winchester. So upon 
the morn he took his leave of the Queen, and de- 
parted. He rode all that day, and at eventide 
he came to Astolat, that is Gilford, and was 
lodged at the place of an old baron, that hight 
Sir Bernard of Astolat. The old knight wel- 
comed him in the best manner, but he knew not 
that he was Sir Launcelot. 


244 Stories of King Arthur 

“ Fair sir,” said Sir Launcelot to his host, “ I 
would pray you to lend me a shield that is not 
openly known, for mine be well known, and I 
would go to the tournament in disguise.” 

“ Sir,” said his host, “ ye shall have your desire, 
for me seemeth ye be one of the likeliest knights 
of the world, and I shall show you friendship. 
Sir, wit ye well I have two sons which were but 
late made knights. The eldest hight Sir Tirre, 
and he was hurt that same day that he was made 
knight, so that he may not ride. His shield ye 
shall have, for that is not known, I dare say, ex- 
cept in this place. And my youngest son hight 
Sir Lavaine, and if it please you, he shall ride 
with you unto the jousts, for he is of his age 
strong and brave. Much my heart leads me to 
believe that ye should be a noble knight ; there- 
fore I pray you tell me your name.” 

“ As for that,” said Sir Launcelot, “ ye must 
hold me excused at this time, but if God give me 
grace to speed well at the jousts, I shall come 
again and tell you. But I pray you in any wise 
let me have your son Sir Lavaine with me, and 
his brother’s shield.” 

“ This shall be done,” said Sir Bernard. 

This old baron had a daughter, Elaine le Blank, 
that was called at that time the Fair Maid of As- 


The Fair Maid of Astolat 245 

tolat. Ever she beheld Sir Launcelot admiringly, 
and, as the book saith, she cast such a love unto 
him that she could never withdraw her love, so 
she besought him to wear at the jousts a token 
of hers. “ Fair damsel,” said Sir Launcelot, “ if 
I grant you that, ye may say I do more for your 
love than ever I did for lady or damsel.” 

Then he remembered that he would go to the 
jousts disguised ; and because he had never afore 
that time borne any manner of token of any 
damsel, he bethought him that he would bear 
one of her, so that none of his blood thereby 
might know him. And then he said, “ Fair 
maiden, I will grant you to wear a token of yours 
upon my helmet ; therefore, show me what it is.” 

“ Sir,” she said, “ it is a red sleeve of mine, of 
scarlet, well embroidered with great pearls.” 

So she brought it him, and Sir Launcelot re- 
ceived it, saying that he had never done so much 
for any damsel. Then he left his shield in the 
fair maiden’s keeping, and prayed her to care for 
it until that he came again. So that night he 
had merry rest and great cheer, for ever the 
damsel Elaine was about Sir Launcelot, all the 
while she might be suffered. 

On the morn Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine 
took their leave of Sir Bernard, the old baron, 


246 Stories of King Arthur 

and of his daughter, the Fair Maiden of Astolat, 
and then they rode so long till they came to 
Camelot. There was great press of kings, dukes, 
earls, and barons, and many noble knights ; but 
there Sir Launcelot was lodged privily, by the 
means of Sir Lavaine, with a rich burgess, so that 
no man in that town was ware what they were. 

At the time appointed the jousts began, and 
Sir Launcelot made him ready in his best manner, 
and put the red sleeve upon his head, and fas- 
tened it fast. Then he with Sir Lavaine came in 
at the thickest of the press, and did marvelous 
deeds of arms, so that all wondered what knight 
he might be. Sir Gawaine said it might be Sir 
Launcelot by his riding and his buffets, but ever 
it seemed it should not be he, for he bore the red 
sleeve upon his head, and he never wist Sir 
Launcelot bear token of lady or gentleman at 
any jousts. 

At the last by misfortune Sir Bors unhorsed Sir 
Launcelot, and smote him through the shield into 
the side ; and the spear brake, and the head was 
left still in his side. But Sir Lavaine by great 
force took the horse from the King of Scots and 
brought it to his lord, Sir Launcelot, and in spite 
of them all he made him to mount upon that 
horse. Then Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, 


The Fair Maid of Astolat 247 

and then he smote Sir Bors horse and man to the 
earth. In the same wise served he other knights, 
and, as the book saith, he might have slain them, 
but his heart might not serve him thereto, and he 
left them there. 

Then afterwards he hurled in the thickest press 
of them all, and did there the marvelousest deeds 
of arms that ever man saw or heard speak of ; 
and ever Sir Lavaine, the good knight, was with 
him. And there Sir Launcelot with his sword 
smote and pulled down, as the French book maketh 
mention, more than thirty knights, and the most 
part were of the Table Round. And Sir Lavaine 
also did full well that day. 

At the last the King blew unto lodging, and 
the prize was given by heralds unto the knight 
with the white shield, that bare the red sleeve. 
But Sir Launcelot was sore hurt, and cared not 
for honor ; and groaning piteously, he rode at a 
great gallop away- ward from all the knights, until 
he came under a wood’s side. When he saw 
that he was from the field nigh a mile, so that he 
was sure he might not be seen, he besought Sir 
Lavaine as he loved him to draw the truncheon 
out of his side. This Sir Lavaine dreaded sore 
to do, lest Sir Launcelot should be in peril of 
death from loss of blood, if the truncheon were 


248 Stories of King Arthur 

drawn out. Yet he did as his lord would have 
him do, and Sir Launcelot gave a great shriek, 
and so swooned pale and deadly. 

Thereupon Sir Lavaine took him to a hermit- 
age fast by within two miles, where dwelt a gentle 
hermit, that sometime was a full noble knight 
and a great lord of possessions. For great good- 
ness he had taken himself to wilful poverty, and 
forsaken many lands. He was a full noble 
surgeon, and anon he stanched Sir Launcelot’s 
blood, and made him to drink good wine, so that 
he was well refreshed, and came to himself. 

Meanwhile King Arthur let seek the knight 
that bare the red sleeve, that he might have his 
laud and honor, and the prize, as was right. But 
he could not be found, and the King and all the 
knights feared he was sore hurt in the battle. 
Then Sir Gawaine took a squire with him and 
drove all about Camelot within six or seven miles, 
but could hear no word of him. 

Then within two days King Arthur and all the 
fellowship returned unto London again, and so, 
as they rode by the way, it happened that Sir 
Gawaine was lodged at Astolat with Sir Bernard. 
There by the means of the shield left in Elaine’s 
care he learned that the knight who won such 
honor at the tournament was none other than Sir 


The Fair Maid of Astolat 249 

Launcelot himself, and the Fair Maid of Astolat 
learned on how valiant a knight she had fixed 
her love. 

When Elaine heard also that Sir Launcelot 
was grievously wounded and that the knights 
knew not where he lay, she said to Sir Bernard, 
her father : “ Now I request you give me leave 
to ride and to seek him, or else I wot well I shall 
go out of my mind, for I shall never stop till 
that I find him and my brother, Sir Lavaine.” 

“ Do as it liketh you,” said her father, “ for I 
am right sore grieved of the hurt of that noble 
knight.” 

Right so the maid made herself ready, and Sir 
Gawaine rode on to London, where he openly 
disclosed to all the court that it was Sir Launce- 
lot that bore the red sleeve, and that jousted best. 
And when Sir Bors heard that, wit ye well he 
was a heavy man, and so were all his kinsmen, 
for it was he who had given Sir Launcelot, that 
was his own cousin, the grievous wound in the 
tournament. But when Queen Guenever wist 
that Sir Launcelot bare the red sleeve of the Fair 
Maid of Astolat, she was nigh out of her mind for 
wrath, and called him false traitor, because he had 
worn the token of any lady but herself. 

As fair Elaine came to Winchester, she sought 


250 Stories of King Arthur 

there all about, and by fortune Sir Lavaine had 
ridden out to refresh himself and to exercise his 
horse. Anon as Elaine saw him she knew him, 
and then she cried aloud unto him. When he 
heard her, anon he came hither, and then she 
asked her brother how Sir Launcelot did. 

“ Who told you, sister,” said he, “ that my lord’s 
name is Sir Launcelot ? ” 

Then she told him how Sir Gawaine knew him 
by his shield, and so they rode together till 
that they came to the hermitage. Anon she 
alighted, and Sir Lavaine brought her in to Sir 
Launcelot. So this maiden, Elaine, never went 
from Sir Launcelot, but watched him day and 
night, and did such attendance to him that the 
French book saith there was never woman did 
kindlier for man than she. 

After a long while he was healed of his wounds, 
and so upon a morn they took their horses, and 
Elaine le Blank with them, and departed from the 
hermit. And when they came to Astolat, there 
they were well lodged, and had great cheer of Sir 
Bernard the old baron, and of Sir Tirre his son. 

When Sir Launcelot should depart from As- 
tolat for to return to King Arthur’s court, fair 
Elaine seemed like to die for love of him and for 
sorrow at his going. But Sir Launcelot loved 


The Fair Maid of Astolat 251 

only Queen Guenever, and thought never to be 
wedded man, and could only grieve at her great 
sorrow ; and for her good will and great kindness 
he promised that, whensoever she should set her 
heart upon some good knight that would wed her, 
he would give her a thousand pounds yearly, and 
always while he lived be her own true knight. 

Then Sir Launcelot took his leave, and with 
Sir Lavaine he came unto Winchester. And 
when Arthur wist that Sir Launcelot was come 
whole and sound, he made great joy of him, and 
so did all the knights of the Round Table except 
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred. 

Now speak we of the Fair Maiden of Astolat, 
that made such sorrow day and night that she 
never slept, ate, or drank, and ever she made her 
lament for Sir Launcelot. When she had thus 
endured a ten days, and weakened so that she 
must needs pass out of this world, she prepared for 
death, but ever she mourned for Sir Launcelot. 

Then her priest bade her leave such thoughts ; 
but she said, “ Why should I leave such thoughts ? 
Am I not an earthly woman ? And all the while 
the breath is in my body I may lament, for I do 
none offense, though I love an earthly man, and I 
take God to my record I never loved any but Sir 
Launcelot of the Lake, and as I am a pure 


252 Stories of King Arthur 

maiden I never shall. And since it is the suffer- 
ance of God that I shall die for the love of so 
noble a knight, I beseech the High Father of 
Heaven to have mercy upon my soul ; and sweet 
Lord Jesu, I take thee to record, I was never 
great offender against thy laws, but that I loved 
this noble knight Sir Launcelot out of measure, 
and of myself, good Lord, I might not withstand 
the fervent love wherefore I have my death." 

Then she called her father Sir Bernard and her 
brother Sir Tirre, and heartily she prayed her 
father that her brother might write a letter like 
as she did endite it, and so her father granted her. 
And when the letter was written word by word 
as she devised, then she prayed her father that 
after her death she might be put in a barge in all 
her richest clothes, the letter fast in her right 
hand, and that the barge, covered over and over 
with black samite, might be steered by one boat- 
man only down the Thames to Westminster. 

So she died, and all was done as she desired. 
Now by fortune King Arthur and Queen Guen- 
ever were speaking together at a window of the 
palace, and as they looked they espied this black 
barge, and had marvel what it meant. And the 
King sent three knights thither to. bring him 
ready word what was there. Then these three 


The Fair Maid of Astolat 253 

knights came to the barge, and found therein the 
fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a poor man 
sitting at the barge’s end, and no word would he 
speak. Then the King took the Queen by the 
hand and went thither, and there they saw the 
fair woman in all the rich clothing lying as 
though she smiled. And the Queen espied the 
letter in her right hand, and a clerk read it in the 
presence of many knights. 

This was the intent of the letter : “ Most noble 
knight, Sir Launcelot, now hath death made us 
two at debate for your love. I was your lover, 
that men called the Fair Maiden of Astolat; 
therefore unto all ladies I make my moan ; yet 
pray for my soul, and bury me at the least, and 
offer my mass-penny. This is my last request. 
And a clean maiden I died, I take God to wit- 
ness. Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou 
art peerless.” 

When the letter was read, the King, the 
Queen, and all the knights wept for pity at the 
doleful lament. Then was Sir Launcelot sent for, 
and when he heard the letter word by word, he 
said : “ My lord Arthur, wit ye well I am right 
heavy of the death of this fair damsel, but God 
knoweth I was never cause of her death by my 
willing. I will not say but that she was both 


254 Stories of King Arthur 

fair and good, and much I was beholden unto her, 
but she loved me out of measure.” 

Then said the King unto Sir Launcelot, “ It 
will be your honor that ye oversee that she be 
interred honorably.” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “ that shall be done 
as I can best devise.” 

So upon the morn she was interred richly, and 
Sir Launcelot offered her mass-penny, and all the 
knights of the Table Round that were there at 
that time offered with Sir Launcelot. 

And the Queen sent for Sir Launcelot, and 
prayed him of mercy, because she had been 
wroth with him causeless, and he willingly for- 
gave her. 

So it passed on all that winter with all man- 
ner of hunting and hawking, and jousts and 
tourneys were many betwixt the great lords ; 
and ever in all places Sir Lavaine gat great 
honor, so that he was nobly renowned among 
many knights of the Table Round. 


CHAPTER XXXIV 


OF THE GREAT TOURNAMENT ON 
CANDLEMAS DAY 



T Christmas time many knights were to- 


gether at the court, and every day there 


was a joust made. Sir Lavaine jousted 


there all that Christmas passing well, and was 
praised best, for there were but few that did so 
well. Wherefore all knights thought that Sir 
Lavaine should be made knight of the Round 
Table at the next feast of Pentecost. 

But Sir Launcelot would joust only when a 
great tournament was held. So after Christmas 
King Arthur had many knights called unto him, 
and there they agreed together to make a party 
and a great tournament near Westminster on 
Candlemas Day. Of this many knights were glad, 
and made themselves ready to be at these jousts 
in the freshest manner. The Queen Guenever 
sent for Sir Launcelot, and said : “ At these jousts 
that shall be ye shall bear upon your helmet the 
sleeve of gold that ye shall have of me, and I 


255 


256 Stories of King Arthur 

pray you, for my sake exert yourself there so that 
men may speak of your honor.” 

“ Madam,” said Sir Launcelot, “ it shall be 
done.” 

And when Sir Launcelot saw his time, he told 
Sir Bors that he would depart, and have no 
others with him than Sir Lavaine, unto the good 
hermit that dwelt in the forest of Windsor, — his 
name was Sir Brastias,— and there he intended 
to take all the repose he might, because he 
wished to be fresh on the day of the jousts. 

So Sir Launcelot with Sir Lavaine departed so 
quietly that no creature except the noble men of 
his own kin knew what had become of him. 
And when he had come to the hermitage, you 
may be sure he had good cheer. Daily he would 
go to a spring hard by the hermitage, and there 
he would lie down and watch the spring bubble, 
and sometimes he slept there. 

At that time a lady dwelt in the forest, who 
was a great huntress. Every day she used to 
hunt, and no men ever went with her, but always 
women. They were all shooters, and could well 
kill a deer both under cover and in the open. 
They always carried bows and arrows, horns and 
wood-knives, and many good dogs they had. 

Now it happened that this lady, the huntress, 


Great Tournament on Candlemas Day 257 

was one day chasing a deer, keeping the direction 
by the noise of the hounds. The deer, hard 
pressed, came down to the spring where Sir 
Launcelot was sleeping, and there sank down ex- 
hausted, and lay there a great while. At length 
the dogs came fast after, and beat about, for they 
had lost the very perfect track of the deer. Just 
then there came that lady, the huntress, who 
knew by the sounds of the dogs that the deer 
must be at the spring. So she came swiftly and 
found the deer. She put a broad arrow in her 
bow, and shot at it, but aimed too high, and so by 
misfortune the arrow smote Sir Launcelot deep 
in the thick of the thigh. When Sir Launcelot 
felt himself so hurt, he jumped up madly, and saw 
the lady that had smitten him. And when he 
saw it was a woman, he said thus : “ Lady or 
damsel, whatever thou be, in an evil time bare ye 
a bow ; the devil made you a shooter." 

“ Now mercy, fair sir," said the lady ; “ I am a' 
gentlewoman that am wont to hunt here in this 
forest, and truly I saw you not ; there was the 
deer by the spring, and I believed I was doing 
well to shoot, but my hand swerved." 

“ Alas," said Sir Launcelot, “ ye have done 
mischief to me." 

And so the lady departed, and Sir Launcelot, 


258 Stories of King Arthur 

as well as he might, pulled out the arrow, but the 
head remained still in his thigh ; and so he went 
feebly to the hermitage, ever bleeding as he went. 
And when Sir Lavaine and the hermit spied 
that Sir Launcelot was hurt, wit ye well they 
were passing sorry ; but neither Sir Lavaine nor 
the hermit knew how he was hurt, or by whom. 
Then with great pain the hermit gat the ar- 
row’s head out of Sir Launcelot’s thigh, but 
much of his blood was shed, and the wound was 
passing sore. 

“ Ah, mercy,” said Sir Launcelot, “ I call my- 
self the most unhappy man that liveth ; for ever 
when I would most gladly have honor there be- 
falleth me some unhappy thing. Now, so heaven 
help me, I shall be in the field upon Candlemas 
Day at the jousts, whatsoever come of it.” 

So all that might heal Sir Launcelot was got- 
ten, and, when the day came, he and Sir Lavaine 
had themselves and their horses arrayed, and 
so departed and came nigh to the field. Many 
proved good knights with their retainers were 
there ready to joust, and King Arthur himself 
came into the field with two hundred knights, the 
most part noble knights of the Table Round. And 
there were old knights set in scaffolds, for to 
judge with the Queen who did best. 


Great Tournament on Candlemas Day 259 

Then they blew to the field, and the knights 
met in the battle, furiously smiting down one 
and another in the rush of the tournament. 
King Arthur himself ran into the lists with a 
hundred followers, smiting to the earth four 
knights, one after the other, and even when his 
spear was broken he did passing well. And so 
knight after knight came in, — Sir Gawaine, and 
Sir Gaheris, and Sir Agravaine, and Sir Mordred, 
and many others ; all pressed their opponents 
hard, some being discomfited and others gaining 
great honor by their mighty prowess. 

All this doing Sir Launcelot saw, and then he 
came into the field with Sir Lavaine, as if it had 
been thunder. He encountered with Sir 
Gawaine, and by force smote him and his horse 
to the earth, and then one knight after another, 
all with one spear. And Sir Lavaine encountered 
with Sir Palamides, and either met other so hard 
and so fiercely that both their horses fell to the 
earth. But they were horsed again, and then Sir 
Launcelot met with Sir Palamides, and there Sir 
Palamides had a fall. And so Sir Launcelot, as 
fast as he could get spears, smote down thirty 
knights, and the most part of them were knights 
of the Table Round. And then King Arthur 
was wroth when he saw Sir Launcelot do such 


260 Stories of King Arthur 

deeds, and with nine chosen knights made ready 
to set upon Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine. 

All this espied Sir Gareth, and he said to Sir 
Bors, “ I will ride unto my lord Sir Launcelot for 
to help him, fall of it what may, for he is the 
same man that made me knight.’' 

“Ye shall not so,” said Sir Bors, “by my 
counsel, unless ye be disguised.” 

“Ye shall see me disguised,” said Sir Gareth. 

So he rode to a Welsh knight who lay to re- 
pose himself, for he was sore hurt afore by Sir 
Gawaine, and Sir Gareth prayed him of his 
knighthood to lend him his green shield for his. 

“ I will well,” said the Welsh knight. 

So Sir Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot 
with all his might, and bore him fellowship for 
old love he had shown him. And so the King 
and his nine knights encountered with Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Lavaine and Sir Gareth. And 
Sir Gareth did such deeds of arms that all men 
wondered what knight he was with the green 
shield ; for he smote down that day and pulled 
down more than thirty knights. Also Sir 
Launcelot knew not Sir Gareth, and marveled, 
when he beheld him do such deeds, what knight 
he might be. 

So this tournament and this joust lasted long, till 


Great Tournament on Candlemas Day 261 

it was near evening, for the knights of the Round 
Table ever came to the relief of King Arthur, 
who was wroth out of measure that he and his 
knights could not prevail that day over Sir 
Launcelot and the knights who were with him. 

So when they had long dealt one another 
great strokes and neither might prevail, King 
Arthur said to Sir Gawaine, “ Tell me now, 
nephew, what is your best counsel ? ” 

“ Sir,” said Sir Gawaine, “ ye shall have my 
counsel. Have sounded the call unto lodging, 
for, trust me, truly it will be of no avail to strive 
with Sir Launcelot of the Lake and my brother, 
Sir Gareth, — for he it is with the green shield, — 
helped as they are by that good young knight, 
Sir Lavaine, unless we should fall ten or twelve 
upon one knight, and that would be no honor, 
but shame.” 

“ Ye say truth,” said the King, “ and it were 
shame to us, so many as we are, to set upon 
them any more.” 

So then they blew unto lodging, and King 
Arthur rode after Sir Launcelot and prayed him 
and other of the knights to supper. 

So they went unto Arthur’s lodging all to- 
gether, and there was a great feast and great 
revel, and the prize was given unto Sir Launce- 


262 Stories of King Arthur 

lot. Then Sir Launcelot told the King and the 
Queen how the lady hunters shot him in the 
forest of Windsor in the thigh with a broad ar- 
row. Also Arthur blamed Sir Gareth, because 
he left his fellowship and held with Sir Launce- 
lot. 

“ My lord,” said Sir Gareth, “ he made me a 
knight, and when I saw him so hard bestead, me 
thought it was my honor to help him, for I saw 
him do so much, and I was ashamed to see so 
many noble knights against him alone." 

“ Truly," said King Arthur unto Sir Gareth, 
“ ye say well, and honorably have ye done, and 
all the days of my life be sure I shall love you 
and trust you the more for the great honor 
ye have done to yourself. For ever it is an 
honorable knight’s duty to help another honor- 
able knight when he seeth him in a great danger, 
for ever an honorable man will be loath to see 
an honorable man put to shame. He that is of 
no honor, and fareth with cowardice, will never 
show gentleness nor any manner of goodness 
where he seeth a man in any danger, for never 
will a coward show any mercy, and always a 
good man will do to another man as he would 
be done to himself." 

So then there were great feasts unto kings 


Great Tournament on Candlemas Day 263 

and dukes ; and revel, game, and play, and all 
manner of nobleness was used ; and he that was 
courteous, true, and faithful to his friend was at 
that time cherished. 


CHAPTER XXXV 


QUEEN GUENEVER’S MAY-DAY RIDE AND 
WHAT CAME OF IT 

HUS it passed on from Candlemas un- 



til after Easter, and soon the month of 


May was come, when every manly 


heart begins to blossom and to bring forth fruit. 
For as herbs and trees flourish in May, likewise 
every lusty heart springeth and flourisheth in 
lusty deeds, for more than any other month May 
giveth unto all men renewed courage, and calleth 
again to their mind old gentleness and old serv- 
ice, and many kind deeds that were forgotten 
by negligence. Therefore, as the month of May 
flowereth and flourisheth in many gardens, so 
let every man of honor bring forth fruit in his 
heart, first unto God, and next unto the joy of 
them to whom he has promised his faith. 

So it befell in the month of May that Queen 
Guenever called unto her ten knights of the 
Table Round, and she bade them ride with her 
a-Maying on the morrow into the woods and 
fields near Westminster. And “ I bid you,” said 


264 


Queen Guenever’s May-Day Ride 265 

she, “ that ye all be well horsed, and that ye 
all be clothed in green, either silk or woolen, and 
I shall bring with me ten ladies, and every knight 
shall have a lady behind him, and every knight 
shall have a squire and two yeomen.” 

So they made themselves ready in the freshest 
manner, and in the morning rode with the 
Queen a-Maying in woods and meadows as it 
pleased them in great joy and delight. The 
Queen purposed to be again with King Arthur 
at the furthest by ten of the clock. 

Now there was a knight called Meliagrance, 
who had at that time a castle, the gift of King 
Arthur, within seven miles of Westminster. He 
had long lain in wait to steal away the Queen, 
but had feared to do the base deed when Sir 
Launcelot was in her company. It was her cus- 
tom at that time never to ride without a great 
fellowship of men of arms about her, for the 
most part young men eager for honor, and called 
the Queen’s knights. But this knight, Sir Melia- 
grance, had espied the Queen well and her pur- 
pose on this May morning, and had seen how 
Sir Launcelot was not with her, and how she had 
for this once no men of arms with her but the 
ten noble knights all arrayed in green for May- 
ing. Then he provided him twenty men of arms 


266 Stories of King Arthur 

and a hundred archers, to destroy the Queen’s 
knights, for he thought that time was the best 
season to take the Queen prisoner. 

So while the Queen and all her knights were 
gathering herbs and mosses and flowers in the 
best manner and freshest, just then there came 
out of a wood Sir Meliagrance with eightscore 
men, well armed, and bade the Queen and her 
knights to stand. 

“ Traitor knight,” said Queen Guenever, “ what 
intendest thou to do? Wilt thou shame thyself? 
Bethink thee how thou art a king’s son, and 
knight of the Table Round, and thou art about 
to dishonor the noble king that made thee knight ; 
thou shamest all knighthood and thyself ; but 
me, I let thee wit, thou shalt never shame, for I 
had rather cut my throat in twain than that thou 
shouldst dishonor me.” 

“ As for all this language,” said Sir Meliagrance, 
“ be it as it may, never before could I get you at 
such advantage as I do now, and therefore I will 
take you as I find you.” 

All the ten noble knights sought to dissuade 
him from dishonoring himself and from forcing 
them to jeopard their lives, unarmed as they were, 
in defending the Queen. But Sir Meliagrance 
would not yield, and the ten knights of the Table 


Queen Guenever’s May-Day Ride 267 

Round drew their swords and stood manly against 
the spears and swords of the others. But Sir 
Meliagrance had them at great advantage, and 
anon six of them were smitten to the earth with 
grimly wounds. The other four fought long, but 
at last they also were sore wounded. 

When the Queen saw that her knights needs 
must be slain at the last, she for pity and sorrow 
agreed to go with Sir Meliagrance to his castle 
upon this covenant, that he suffer not her knights 
to be more hurt, and that they be led wheresoever 
she was taken. “ For,” said she, “ I will rather 
slay myself than go with thee, unless these my 
noble knights may be in my presence.” 

Meliagrance consented, and by the Queen’s 
commandment they left battle. The wounded 
knights were placed on horseback, some sitting, 
some across the horses’ backs in a pitiful man- 
ner, and all rode in haste to the castle. Then 
Sir Meliagrance charged the Queen and all her 
knights that no one should depart from her, for 
full sore he dreaded Sir Launcelot, lest he should 
have any knowledging. 

But the Queen privily called unto her a page 
who could ride swiftly, gave him her ring, and 
told him to bear it, when he saw a chance to slip 
away quietly, unto Sir Launcelot of the Lake, 


268 Stories of King Arthur 

and pray him to rescue her. “ And spare thou 
not thy horse,” said she, “ neither for water nor 
for land.” 

So the page espied his time, and lightly he 
touched his horse with the spurs, and departed as 
fast as he might. Sir Meliagrance saw him so 
flee, and understood that it was to warn Sir 
Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed 
chased him and shot at him, but he escaped them 
all, and anon found Sir Launcelot. And when 
he had told his message, and delivered him the 
Queen’s ring, “ Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “ now 
am I shamed forever, unless that I may rescue 
that noble lady from dishonor.” 

Then he eagerly called for his armor, and ever 
the page told him how the ten knights had 
fought marvelously, till at last the Queen made 
appointment to go with Sir Meliagrance for to 
save their lives. 

“ Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “ that most noble 
lady, that she should be so destroyed ! I would 
give all France to have been there well armed.” 

So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon 
his horse, he sent the Queen’s page to tell Sir 
Lavaine how suddenly he had departed, and for 
what cause, and to pray him to come anon to the 
castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth. 


Queen Guenever’s May-Day Ride 269 

Sir Launcelot, it is said, took to the water at 
Westminster bridge and made his horse swim 
over the Thames to Lambeth ; and then he rode 
as fast as he might, until within a while he came 
to the place where the ten knights had fought 
with Sir Meliagrance. He then followed the path 
until he came to a straight way through the wood. 
Here he was stopped by thirty archers that Sir 
Meligrance had sent out to slay Sir Launcelot’s 
horse, but in no wise to have ado with him bod- 
ily, “ for,” he had said, “ he is overhard to over- 
come.” These archers bade Sir Launcelot to 
turn again and follow no longer that track, and 
when Sir Launcelot gave right naught for them, 
then they shot his horse, and smote him with 
many arrows. Sir Launcelot now set out on foot, 
but there were so many ditches and hedges be- 
twixt the archers and him that he could not med- 
dle with any one of them. 

He went on a while, but was much cumbered 
by his armor, his shield, and his spear. Wit ye 
well he was sore annoyed at his slow progress, 
but was loath to leave anything that belonged 
unto him, for he dreaded sore the treason of Sir 
Meliagrance. 

Just then by chance there came by a cart, that 
was sent thither to fetch wood. “ Tell me, carter,” 


270 Stories of King Arthur 

said Sir Launcelot, “ what shall I give thee to 
take me in thy cart unto a castle within two miles 
of here ? ” 

“ Thou shalt not set foot in my cart,” said the 
man, “ for I am sent to fetch wood for my lord 
Sir Meliagrance.” 

Then Sir Launcelot jumped upon him and 
gave the man such a blow that he fell to the 
earth stark dead. Then the other carter, his fel- 
low, was afraid of going the same way, and cried 
out, “ Fair lord, save my life and I will bring you 
where ye will.” 

Sir Launcelot leaped into the cart, and the 
carter drove at a great gallop, Sir Launcelot’s 
horse following after with more than forty arrows 
in him. 

More than an hour and a half later, Queen 
Guenever was in a bay window of the castle with 
her ladies, and espied an armed knight approach- 
ing, standing in a cart. 

“ See, madam,” said a lady to her, “ there rideth 
in a cart a goodly armed knight ; I suppose he 
rideth to hanging.” 

Then the Queen espied by his shield that Sir 
Launcelot of the Lake himself was there. “ Alas,” 
said the Queen, “ now I see that well is it with 
him who hath a trusty friend. Ah, most noble 


Queen Guenever’s May-Day Ride 271 

knight, I see well thou art hard bestead, when 
thou ridest in a cart.” 

By this time Sir Launcelot had come to the 
gates of that castle, and there he descended from 
the cart, and cried so that all the castle rang : 
“ Where art thou, false traitor Sir Meliagrance, 
and knight of the Table Round? Now come 
forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy 
fellowship with thee, for here I am, Sir Launce- 
lot of the Lake, that shall fight with thee.” 

With these words he burst the gate wide open 
upon the porter, and smote him under his ear 
with his gauntlet so that he staggered back like 
a dead man. When Sir Meliagrance heard that 
Sir Launcelot was there, he ran unto Queen 
Guenever and fell upon his knees, putting him- 
self wholly at her mercy, and begging her to con- 
trol the wrath of Sir Launcelot. 

“ Better is peace than ever war,” said the Queen, 
“ and the less noise the more is my honor.” 

So she and her ladies went down to Sir Launce- 
lot, thanked him for all his trouble in her behalf, 
told him of Meliagrance’s repentance, and bade 
him come in peaceably with her. 

“ Madam,” said Sir Launcelot, “ if ye are ac- 
corded with him, I am not inclined to be against 
peace, howbeit Sir Meliagrance hath done full 


272 Stories of King Arthur 

shamefully to me, and cowardly. Ah, madam, 
had I known ye would be so soon accorded with 
him, I would not have made such haste unto 
you.” 

“ What,” said the Queen, “ do ye repent of 
your good deeds? Wit ye well I never made 
peace with him for favor or love that I had unto 
him, but to suppress all shameful noise.” 

“ Madam,” said Sir Launcelot, “ ye understand 
full well I was never glad of shameful slander 
nor noise ; and there is neither king, queen, nor 
knight alive except my lord King Arthur and 
you, madam, that should hinder me from making 
Sir Meliagrance’s heart full cold or ever I de- 
parted from hence.” 

Then the Queen and Sir Launcelot went in to- 
gether, and she commanded him to be unarmed. 
Then he asked where the ten knights were 
that were wounded sore. So she led Sir Launce- 
lot to them, and they made great joy of his 
coming, and he made great dole of their hurts, 
and bewailed them greatly. And then Sir 
Launcelot told them how he had been obliged 
to put himself into a cart. Thus they complained 
each to other, and full gladly would they have 
been revenged, but they restrained themselves 
because of the Queen. So Sir Launcelot was 


Queen Guenever’s May-Day Ride 273 

called for many a day thereafter the Chevalier of 
the Cart, and he did many deeds, and great ad- 
ventures he had. And so we leave this tale of 
the Knight of the Cart, and turn to others. 


CHAPTER XXXVI 

OF THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT 

I N this same month of May when every lusty 
heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth, there be- 
fell in King Arthur’s realm a great anger 
and unhap that stinted not till the flower of 
chivalry of all the world was destroyed. And all 
was due to two evil knights, the which were 
named Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were 
nephews unto King Arthur and brethren unto 
Sir Gawaine. For this Sir Agravaine and Sir 
Mordred had ever a privy hate unto the Queen, 
Dame Guenever, and to Sir Launcelot, and daily 
and nightly they ever watched upon him. 

So it mishapped that Sir Agravaine on a day 
said openly, so that many knights might hear, 
that the friendship between Sir Launcelot and the 
Queen was a disgrace to knighthood and a shame 
to so noble a king as Arthur. But Sir Gawaine 
would not hear any of these tales nor be of 
Agravaine’s counsel ; moreover he charged his 
brother to move no such matters afore him, for 
he wist well what mischief would come, should 
274 


Of the Plot Against Sir Launcelot 275 

war arise betwixt Sir Launcelot and the King, 
and he remembered how ofttimes Sir Launcelot 
had proved his goodness and loyalty by knightly 
deeds. Also Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, two 
other brethren, would know nothing of Agra- 
vaine’s base accusation. 

But Sir Mordred, the fifth of the brethren, sons 
of the Queen of Orkney, the which had mocked 
the good Percivale when first he came to the 
court, and who had ever been jealous and ready 
to think evil of another, joined with Sir Agra- 
vaine. Therewithal they three, Sir Gawaine, Sir 
Gaheris, and Sir Gareth departed, making great 
dole over the mischief that threatened the de- 
struction of the realm and the dispersion of the 
noble fellowship of the Round Table. 

So Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came be- 
fore King Arthur, and told him they might no 
longer suffer Sir Launcelot’s deeds, for he was a 
traitor to his kingly person. But the King would 
believe nothing unless he might have proofs of it, 
for, as the French book saith, he was full loath 
to hear ill of a knight who had done so much 
for him and for the Queen so many times that, 
as was fully known, he loved him passingly well. 

Then these two brethren made a plot for taking 
Sir Launcelot when in the Queen’s presence, and 


276 Stories of King Arthur 

bringing him dead or quick to King Arthur. So 
on the morn Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat 
to them twelve knights and hid themselves in a 
chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen 
Guenever was ; thus they plotted to take Sir 
Launcelot by force, if she should have speech with 
him. Sir Launcelot was no coward, and cared not 
what liars said about him, since he wist his own 
good will and loyalty. So when the Queen sent 
for him to speak with her, he went as true knight 
to the castle, and fell into the trap that was set 
for him. In the battle that followed he was 
hard bestead, but slew Sir Agravaine at the first 
buffet, and within a little while he laid the twelve 
chosen knights cold to the earth. Also he 
wounded Sir Mordred, who, when he escaped 
from the noble Sir Launcelot, anon gat his horse 
and rode unto King Arthur, sore wounded and 
all bleeding. 

Then he told the King how it was, and how 
they were all slain save himself only. So the 
King believed Sir Mordred’s evil accusation true, 
and he said : “ Alas, me sore repenteth that ever 
Sir Launcelot should be against me. Now am I 
sure the noble fellowship of the Round Table is 
broken forever, for with him will many a noble 
knight hold. And now it is fallen so that I may 


Of the Plot Against Sir Launcelot 277 

not keep my honor unless the Queen suffer the 
death.” 

So then there was made great ordinance that 
the Queen must be judged to the death, for the 
law was such in those days that whatsoever they 
were, of what estate or degree, if they were found 
guilty of treason, there should be none other 
remedy but death. Right so it was ordained for 
Queen Guenever, and she was commanded to the 
fire, there to be burned. 

King Arthur prayed Sir Gawaine to make him- 
self ready in his best armor, with his brethren 
Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring the Queen 
to the fire, there to have her judgment, and re- 
ceive the death. But Sir Gawaine ever believed 
Dame Guenever guiltless of the treason charged 
against her, and he would never have it said that 
he had any part in her shameful end. Sir 
Gaheris and Sir Gareth also were loath to be 
there present, but they were young, and full 
unable to say him nay. “ If we be there by your 
straight commandment,” said they, “ ye shall 
plainly hold us excused though we go in peace- 
able wise, and bear none harness of war upon us.” 

So the Queen was led forth without Carlisle, 
and she prepared herself for death. There was 
weeping and wailing and wringing of hands of 


278 Stories of King Arthur 

many lords and ladies, and few in comparison 
there present would bear any armor for to keep 
order. 

Anon as the fire was to be lighted, there was 
spurring and plucking up of horses, and right 
so Sir Launcelot and his followers came hither, 
and whoever stood against them was slain. And 
so in this rushing and hurling, as Sir Launcelot 
pressed here and there, it mishapped him to 
slay Gaheris and Gareth, the noble knights, for 
they were unarmed and unaware. In truth Sir 
Launcelot saw them not, and so were they found 
dead among the thickest of the press. 

Then when Sir Launcelot had thus done, and 
had slain or put to flight all that would withstand 
him, he rode straight unto Dame Guenever, and 
made her to be set behind him on his horse, and 
prayed her to be of good cheer. Wit ye well 
the Queen was glad that she was escaped from 
the death, and then she thanked God and Sir 
Launcelot. 

And so he rode his way with the Queen, as 
the French book saith, unto Joyous Gard, his 
own castle, where Sir Tristram had taken the 
Fair Isoud after her flight from Cornwall. There 
Sir Launcelot kept Guenever as a noble knight 
should do, and many great lords and some kings 


Of the Plot Against Sir Launcelot 279 

sent him many good knights, and many noble 
knights drew unto Sir Launcelot. 

When it was known openly that King Arthur 
and Sir Launcelot were at debate, many were full 
heavy of heart, and the King himself swooned for 
pure sorrow, as it was told him how and in what 
wise the Queen was taken away from the fire, and 
as he heard of the death of his noble knights, in 
especial that of Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. 
And when he awoke of his swoon, he said: 
“ Alas that ever I bare crown upon my head, 
for now have I lost the fairest fellowship of noble 
knights that ever Christian king held together. 
Alas that ever this war began. The death of these 
two brethren will cause the greatest mortal war 
that ever was, for I am sure, wist Sir Gawaine 
that Sir Gareth were slain, I should never have 
rest of him till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot’s 
kin and himself, or else he had destroyed me. 
Ah, Agravaine, Agravaine, Jesu forgive it thy 
soul, for the evil will thou and thy brother Sir 
Mordred haddest unto Sir Launcelot hath caused 
all this sorrow.” 


CHAPTER XXXVII 


HOW SIR LAUNCELOT DEPARTED FROM 
THE KING AND FROM JOYOUS GARD 

HERE came one unto Sir Gawaine, and 



told him how the Queen was led away 


by Sir Launcelot, and nigh a twenty- 


four knights slain. 

“ Full well wist I,” said then Sir Gawaine, 
“ that Sir Launcelot would rescue her, or else he 
would die in that field. To say the truth, had 
he not rescued the Queen he would not have 
been a man of honor, inasmuch as she was to 
have been burned for his sake. He hath done 
but knightly, and as I would have done myself, 
had I stood in like case. But where are my 
brethren ? I marvel I hear not of them.” 

Then the man told him that Sir Gareth and 
Sir Gaheris were slain, both by the hand of 
Launcelot. “ That may I not believe,” said Sir 
Gawaine, “ that he slew my brother Sir Gareth, 
for I dare say Gareth loved him better than me 
and all his brethren, and the King also. Sir 
Launcelot made him knight, and had he desired my 


280 


Sir Launcelot Departed from the King 281 

brother Sir Gareth with him, he would have been 
with him against the King and us all. Therefore 
I may never believe that Sir Launcelot slew my 
brother.” 

When at the last he knew in truth that Sir 
Gareth and Sir Gaheris had died by Sir Launce- 
lot’s hand, all his joy was gone. He fell down in 
a swoon, and long he lay there as he had been 
dead. When he arose of his swoon he ran to the 
King, crying and weeping, and said : “ O King 
Arthur, my lord and mine uncle, wit ye well, 
from this day I shall never fail Sir Launcelot, un- 
til the one of us have slain the other. Therefore 
dress you to the war, for wit ye well I will be 
revenged upon him.” 

Unto King Arthur now drew many knights, 
dukes, and earls, so that he had a great host. 
Then they made them ready to lay siege about 
Sir Launcelot, where he lay within Joyous Gard. 
Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, and he gathered to- 
gether his followers, for with him held many 
good knights, some for his own sake, and some 
for the Queen’s sake. Thus they were on both 
sides well furnished and provided with all manner 
of things that belonged to the war. 

But Sir Launcelot was full loath to do battle 
against the King, and so he withdrew into his 


282 


Stories of King Arthur 

strong castle with all manner of victual and as 
many noble men as might suffice, and for a long 
time would in no wise ride out, neither would he 
allow any of his good knights to issue out, 
though King Arthur with Sir Gawaine came and 
laid a siege all about Joyous Gard, both at the 
town and at the castle. 

Then it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir 
Launcelot looked over the walls, and spake on 
high unto King Arthur and Sir Gawaine : “ My 
lords both, wit ye well all is in vain that ye make 
at this siege ; here win ye no honor, for if I 
list to come out with my good knights, I should 
full soon make an end of this war. But God de- 
fend me, that ever I should encounter with the 
most noble King that made me knight.” 

“ Fie upon thy fair language,” said the King ; 
“ come forth, if thou darest. Wit thou well, I am 
thy mortal foe, and ever shall be to my death 
day, for thou hast slain my good knights and 
full noble men of my blood, and like a traitor 
hast taken my Queen from me by force.” 

“ My most noble lord and king,” answered 
Sir Launcelot, “ ye may say what ye will, for ye 
wot well with yourself I will not strive. I wot 
well that I have slain your good knights, and that 
me sore repenteth ; but I was forced to do battle 


Sir Launcelot Departed from the King 283 

with them in saving of my life, or else I must 
have suffered them to slay me. And as for my 
lady, Queen Guenever, except your highness and 
my lord Sir Gawaine, there is no knight under 
heaven that dare make it good upon me, that 
ever I was traitor unto your person, and I will 
prove it upon any knight alive, except you and 
Sir Gawaine, that my lady Queen Guenever is as 
true and loyal unto you as any living unto her 
lord. Howbeit, it hath pleased her good grace 
to have me in charity, and to cherish me more 
than any other knight, and unto my power I in 
return have deserved her love ; for ofttimes, my 
lord, it fortuned me to do battle for her, and ye 
thanked me when I saved .her life. Now me 
thinketh ye reward me full ill for my good 
service, and me seemeth I had lost a great part of 
my honor in my knighthood, had I suffered my 
lady your queen to be burned, inasmuch as she 
was to be burned for my sake. For, since I 
have done battle for your queen in other quarrels 
than in mine own, me seemeth now I had more 
right to do battle for her in right quarrel. There- 
fore, my good and gracious lord, take your 
queen unto your good grace, for she is both 
fair, true, and good.” 

“ Fie on thy proud words,” said Sir Gawaine ; 


284 Stories of King Arthur 

“ as for my lady the Queen, I will never say of 
her shame, but thou false and recreant knight, 
what cause hadst thou to slay my good brother 
Sir Gareth, that loved thee more than all my kin ? 
Alas, thou madest him knight with thine own 
hands ; why slewest thou him that loved thee so 
well ? ” 

“ For to excuse myself,” said Sir Launcelot, “ it 
helpeth me not, but by the faith I owe to the 
high order of knighthood, I should with as good 
will have slain my nephew Sir Bors of Ganis. 
Alas, that ever I was so unhappy that I had not 
seen Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris.” 

But Sir Gawaine was mischievously set, and it 
helped not Sir Launcelot to seek accordment. 
King Arthur must needs unto battle because of 
his nephew’s great anger, and on the morn he 
was ready in the field with three great hosts. 
Then Sir Launcelot’s fellowship came out at 
three gates in a full good array, in order and rule 
as noble knights. And always Sir Launcelot 
charged all his knights in any wise to save King 
Arthur and Sir Gawaine. 

Then began a great battle, and much people 
was slain. Ever Sir Launcelot did what he 
might to save the people on King Arthur’s side, 
and ever King Arthur was nigh about Sir 


Sir Launcelot Departed from the King 285 

Launcelot to slay him. Sir Launcelot suffered 
him, and would not strike again ; but at the last 
Sir Bors encountered with King Arthur, and with 
a spear smote him down. He alighted and drew 
his sword to slay him, and then he said to Sir 
Launcelot, “ Shall I make an end of this war ? " 
“ Not so hardy,” said Sir Launcelot, “ upon 
pain of thy head, touch him no further, for I will 
never see that most noble king, that made me 
knight, either slain or shamed.” 

Therewithal Sir Launcelot alighted off his 
horse and took up the King, and horsed him 
again, and said thus : “ My lord Arthur, for God’s 
love stint this strife, for ye get here no honor, if 
I will to do mine uttermost; always I forbear 
you, but neither you nor any of yours forbeareth 
me. My lord, remember what I have done in 
many places, and now I am evil rewarded.” 

When King Arthur was again on horseback, 
he looked upon Sir Launcelot, and then the tears 
burst out of his eyes, thinking on the great 
courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot, more than in 
any other man. Therewith the King might i\o 
longer behold him, and he rode his way, saying, 
“ Alas that ever this war began.” 

And then both sides withdrew to repose them- 
selves, to bury the dead, and to lay soft salves on 


286 Stories of King Arthur 

the wounded. Thus they passed the night, but 
on the morn they made ready again to do battle. 
At the end of this day also Sir Launcelot and 
his party stood better, but for pity he withheld his 
knights, and suffered King Arthur’s party to with- 
draw one side, and Sir Launcelot again returned 
into his castle. 

So the war went on day after day. It was 
noised through all Christendom, and at the last it 
was noised afore the Pope. He, considering the 
great goodness of King Arthur and of Sir 
Launcelot, that were called the noblest knights 
of the world, called unto him a noble clerk, that 
at that time was there present, — the French book 
saith it was the Bishop of Rochester, — and gave 
him bulls unto King Arthur of England, charg- 
ing him upon pain of interdicting of all England, 
that he take his queen, Dame Guenever, unto 
him again, and accord with Sir Launcelot. 

So when this bishop was come to Carlisle he 
showed the King the bulls, and by their means 
peace was made between King Arthur and Sir 
Launcelot. With great pomp and ceremony Sir 
Launcelot rode with the Queen from Joyous 
Gard to Carlisle, and they knelt before King 
Arthur, that was full gladly accorded with them 
both. But Sir Gawaine would never be at 


Sir Launcelot Departed from the King 287 

peace with the knight that had slain his breth- 
ren. 

“ The King may take his Queen again, if he 
will,” said Sir Gawaine to Sir Launcelot, “ and 
may be accorded with thee, but thou and I are 
past pardon. Thou shalt go from Carlisle safe, as 
thou earnest, but in this land thou shalt not abide 
past fifteen days, such summons I give thee ; — 
so the King and I were consented and accorded 
ere thou earnest hither, and else, wit thou well, 
thou shouldest not have come here except with- 
out thy head. If it were not for the Pope’s com- 
mandment, I should do battle with mine own 
body against thy body, and prove it upon thee 
that thou hast been both false unto mine uncle 
and to me, and that shall I prove upon thy body 
when thou art departed from hence, wheresoever 
I find thee.” 

Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the 
tears fell on his cheeks, and he said : “ Alas, 
most noble Christian realm, that I have loved 
above all others, in thee have I gotten a great 
part of my honor, and now I shall depart in this 
wise. Truly me repenteth that ever I came in 
this realm that I should be thus shamefully ban- 
ished, undeserved and causeless. But fortune is 
so variant, and the wheel so movable, there is no 


288 Stories of King Arthur 

constant abiding. Wit ye well, Sir Gawaine, I 
may live upon my lands as well as any knight 
that here is. And if ye, most redoubted King, 
will come upon my lands with Sir Gawaine, to 
war upon me, I must endure you as well as I may. 
But as to you, Sir Gawaine, if that ye come there, 
I pray you charge me not with treason or felony, 
for if ye do, I must answer you.” 

Then Sir Launcelot said unto Guenever, in 
hearing of the King and them all, “ Madam, now 
I must depart from you and this noble fellowship 
for ever ; and since it is so, I beseech you to pray 
for me, and say me well ; and if ye be hard be- 
stead by any false tongues lightly, my lady, let 
send me word, and if any knight’s hands may 
deliver you by battle, I shall deliver you.” 

Therewithal Sir Launcelot kissed the Queen, 
and then he said, all openly : “ Now let see what 
he be in this place, that dare say the Queen is 
not true unto my lord Arthur ; let see who will 
speak, if he dare.” 

Then he brought her to the King, and so took 
his leave and departed. And there was neither 
king, duke nor earl, baron nor knight, lady nor 
gentlewoman, but all they wept as people out of 
their mind, except Sir Gawaine ; and when the 
noble Sir Launcelot took his horse, to ride out 


Sir Launcelot Departed from the King 289 

of Carlisle, there was sobbing and weeping for 
pure dole of his departing. So he took his way 
unto Joyous Gard, that ever after he called 
Dolorous Gard, and thus left the court for 
ever. 


CHAPTER XXXVIII 


HOW KING ARTHUR AND SIR GAWAINE 
INVADED SIR LAUNCELOT’S REALM 

W HEN Sir Launcelot came again to 
Joyous Gard from Carlisle, he called 
his fellowship unto him, and asked 
them what they would do. Then they answered 
all wholly together with one voice, they would as • 
he would do. 

“ My fair fellows,” said he : “I must depart out 
of this most noble realm. And now I am to de- 
part, it grieveth me sore, for I shall depart with no 
honor. A banished man departed never out of 
any realm with honor ; and that is my heaviness, 
for ever I fear that after my days they will chron- 
icle upon me that I was banished out of this 
land.” 

Then spake many noble knights : “ Sir, we 

will never fail. Since it liked us to take a part 
with you in your distress and heaviness in this 
realm, wit ye well it shall like us as well to go in 
other countries with you, and there to take such 
part as ye do.” 


King Arthur and Sir Gawaine 291 

“ My fair lords,” said Sir Launcelot, “ I well 
understand you, and, as I can, thank you. And 
ye shall understand, such livelihood and lands as I 
am born unto I shall share freely among you, 
and I myself will have as little as any of you, for 
if I have sufficient for my personal needs, I will 
ask none other rich array ; and I trust to God to 
maintain you on my lands as well as ever were 
maintained any knights.” 

Then spake all the knights at once : “ He 

have shame that will leave you. We all under- 
stand in this realm will be now no quiet, but ever 
strife and debate, now the fellowship of the 
Round Table is broken ; for by the noble fellow- 
ship of the Round Table was King Arthur up- 
borne, and by their nobleness the King and all 
his realm was in quiet and in rest. And a great 
part,” they said all, “ was because of your noble- 
ness.” 

So, to make short tale, they packed up, and 
paid all that would ask them, and wholly an hun- 
dred knights departed with Sir Launcelot at 
once, and made avows they would never leave 
him for weal nor for woe. They shipped at Car- 
diff, and sailed unto Benwick. But to say the 
sooth, Sir Launcelot and his nephews were lords 
of all France, and of all the lands that belong unto 


292 Stories of King Arthur 

France through Sir Launcelot’s noble prowess. 
When he had established all these countries, he 
shortly called a parliament, and appointed officers 
for his realm. Thus Sir Launcelot rewarded his 
noble knights, and many more, that me seemeth 
it were too long to rehearse. 

Now leave we Sir Launcelot in his lands, and 
his noble knights with him, and return we again 
unto King Arthur and to Sir Gawaine, that 
made a great host ready, to the number of three- 
score thousand. All things were made ready for 
their shipping to pass over the sea, and so they 
shipped at Cardiff. And there King Arthur made 
Sir Mordred chief ruler of all England, and also 
he put Queen Guenever under his governance. 

So King Arthur passed over the sea, and 
landed upon Sir Launcelot’s lands, and there 
burned and wasted, through the vengeance of Sir 
Gawaine, all that they might overrun. 

When this word came to Sir Launcelot, that 
King Arthur and Sir Gawaine were landed upon 
his lands, and made a full destruction and waste, 
then said Sir Lionel, that was ware and wise : “ My 
Lord, Sir Launcelot, I will give you this counsel : 
Let us keep our strong walled towns until they 
have hunger and cold, and blow upon their nails, 
and then let us freshly set upon them, and shred 


King Arthur and Sir Gawaine 293 

them down as sheep in a field, that aliens may take 
ensample for ever how they set foot upon our 
lands.” 

Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir Launcelot, 
“ Sir, here be knights come of king’s blood that 
will not long droop ; therefore give us leave, like as 
we be knights, to meet them in the field, and we 
shall slay them, that they shall curse the time 
that ever they came into this country.” 

Then spake all at once seven brethren of North 
Wales, — and they were seven noble knights, a 
man might seek in seven lands ere he might find 
such seven knights : “ Sir Launcelot, let us ride 
out with Sir Galihud, for we be never wont to 
cower in castle, or in noble towns.” 

But then spake Sir Launcelot, that was master 
and governor of them all : “ My fair lords, wit ye 
well I am full loath to ride out with my knights, 
for shedding of Christian blood ; and yet my 
lands I understand be full bare to sustain any 
host a while, for the mighty wars that whilom 
made King Claudas upon this country, upon my 
father King Ban and on mine uncle King Bors. 
Howbeit we will at this time keep our strong 
walls, and I shall send a messenger unto my lord 
Arthur, a treaty for to take, for better is peace 
than always war.” 


294 Stories of King Arthur 

So he sent forth a damsel, and a dwarf with 
her, requiring King Arthur to leave his warring 
upon his lands. When she came to the pavilion 
of King Arthur there met her a gentle knight, 
Sir Lucan the butler, and when he knew that she 
was a messenger from Sir Launcelot to the King 
he said : “ I pray God, damsel, ye may speed 

well. My lord Arthur would love Launcelot, but 
Sir Gawaine will not suffer him.” 

So Lucan led the damsel unto the King, and 
when she had told her tale, all the lords were full 
glad to advise him to be accorded with Sir 
Launcelot, save only Sir Gawaine, who would 
not turn again, now that they were past thus far 
upon the journey. 

“ Wit ye well, Sir Gawaine,” said Arthur, “ I 
will do as ye will advise me ; and yet me seemeth 
his fair proffers were not good to be refused.”’ 

Then Sir Gawaine sent the damsel away with 
the answer that it was now too late for peace. 
And so the war went on. Sir Launcelot was 
never so loath to do battle, but he must needs 
defend himself ; and when King Arthur’s host 
besieged Benwick round about, and fast began to 
set up ladders, then Sir Launcelot beat them from 
the walls mightily. 

Then upon a day it befell that Sir Gawaine 


King Arthur and Sir Gawaine 295 

came before the gates fully armed on a noble 
horse, with a great spear in his hand, and cried 
with a loud voice : “ Where art thou now, thou 
false traitor, Launcelot ? Why hidest thou thy- 
self within holes and walls like a coward ? Look 
out now, thou false traitor knight, and here I 
shall revenge upon thy body the death of my 
three brethren/’ 

All this language heard Sir Launcelot, and he 
wist well that he must defend him'self, or else be 
recreant. So he armed himself at all points, and 
mounted upon his horse, and gat a great spear in 
his hand, and rode out at the gate. And both 
the hosts were assembled, of them without and 
of them within, and stood in array full manly. 
And both parties were charged to hold them 
still, to see and behold the battle of these two 
noble knights. 

Then they laid their spears in their rests, and 
came together as thunder. Sir Gawaine brake 
his spear upon Sir Launcelot in an hundred pieces 
unto his hand, and Sir Launcelot smote him with 
a greater might, so that Sir Gawaine's horse’s 
feet raised, and the horse and he fell to the earth. 
Then they dressed their shields and fought with 
swords on foot, giving many sad strokes, so that 
all men on both parties had thereof passing great 


296 Stories of King Arthur 

wonder. But Sir Launcelot withheld his courage 
and his wind, and kept himself wonderly covert 
of his might. Under his shield he traced and 
traversed here and there, to break Sir Gawaine’s 
strokes and his courage, and Sir Gawaine en- 
forced himself with all his might to destroy Sir 
Launcelot. 

At the first ever Sir Gawaine’s power increased, 
and right so his wind and his evil will. For a 
time Sir Launcelot had great pain to defend him- 
self, but when three hours were passed, and Sir 
Launcelot felt that Sir Gawaine was come to his 
full strength, then Sir Launcelot said, “ I feel that 
ye have done your mighty deeds ; now wit you 
well I must do my deeds.” 

So he doubled his strokes, and soon smote 
such a buffet upon Sir Gawaine’s helm that he 
sank down upon his side in a swoon. Anon as 
he did awake, he waved at Sir Launcelot as he 
lay, and said, “ Traitor knight, wit thou well I 
am not yet slain ; come thou near me, and per- 
form this battle unto the uttermost.” 

“ I will no more do than I have done,” said Sir 
Launcelot. “ When I see you on foot I will do 
battle upon you all the while I see you stand on 
your feet; but to smite a wounded man, that 
may not stand, God defend me from such a shame.” 


King Arthur and Sir Gawaine 297 

Then he turned and went his way towards the 
city, and Sir Gawaine, evermore calling him 
traitor knight, said, “ Wit thou well, Sir Launce- 
lot, when I am whole, I shall do battle with thee 
again ; for I shall never leave thee till one of us 
be slain.” 

Thus this siege endured. Sir Gawaine lay sick 
near a month, and when he was well recovered, 
and ready within three days to do battle again 
with Sir Launcelot, right so came tidings unto 
Arthur from England, that made him and all his 
host to remove. 


CHAPTER XXXIX 


OF SIR MORDRED’S TREASON 
S Sir Mordred was ruler of all England 



he did make letters as though they came 


JL _^from beyond the sea, and the letters 
specified that King Arthur was slain in battle 
with Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred 
made a Parliament, and called the lords together, 
and there he made them to choose him king. So 
was he crowned at Canterbury, and held a feast 
there fifteen days. Afterwards he drew unto 
Winchester, and there he took the Queen, Guen- 
ever, and said plainly that he would wed her 
which was his uncle’s wife. 

So he made ready for the feast, and a day was 
prefixed when they should be wedded. Where- 
fore Queen Guenever was passing heavy, but she 
durst not discover her heart, and spake fair, and 
agreed to Sir Mordred’s will. Then she desired 
of him for to go to London, to buy all manner 
of things that longed unto the wedding, and be- 
cause of her fair speech Sir Mordred trusted her 


298 


Of Sir Mordred’s Treason 299 

well enough, and gave her leave to go. When 
she came to London, she took the Tower of 
London, and suddenly, in all haste possible, she 
stuffed it with all manner of victual, and well 
garnished it with men, and so kept it. 

Then when Sir Mordred wist and understood 
how he was beguiled, he was passing wroth 
out of measure. And, a short tale for to make, 
he went and laid a mighty siege about the Tower 
of London, and made many great assaults 
thereat, and threw many great engines unto 
them, and shot great guns. But all might not 
prevail Sir Mordred, because Queen Guenever, for 
fair speech nor for foul, would never trust to 
come in his hands again. 

Then came the Bishop of Canterbury, the 
which was a noble clerk and an holy man, and 
thus he said to Sir Mordred : “Sir, what will 
ye do ? Will ye first displease God, and then 
shame yourself and all knighthood ? Leave this 
matter, or else I shall curse you with book and 
bell and candle.” 

“ Do thou thy worst,” said Sir Mordred ; “ wit 
thou well I shall defy thee.” 

“ Sir,” said the Bishop, “ and wit ye well I 
shall not fear me to do that I ought to do. Also, 
when ye noise that my lord Arthur is slain, that 


300 Stories of King Arthur 

is not so, and therefore ye will make a foul work 
in this land.” 

“ Peace, thou false priest,” said Sir Mordred, 
“ for, if thou chafe me any more, I shall make 
strike off thy head.” 

So the Bishop departed, and did the curse in 
the haughtiest wise that might be done. Then 
Sir Mordred sought the Bishop of Canterbury 
for to slay him, and he fled, and, taking part of 
his goods with him, went nigh unto Glastonbury, 
and there lived in poverty and in holy prayers as 
priest-hermit in a chapel, for well he understood 
that mischievous war was at hand. 

Then came word to Sir Mordred that King 
Arthur had raised the siege from Sir Launcelot, 
and was coming homeward with a great host, to 
be avenged upon Sir Mordred. Wherefore Sir 
Mordred made write writs to all the barony of 
this land, and much people drew to him, for then 
was the common voice among them, that with 
Arthur was none other life but war and strife, 
and with Sir Mordred was great joy and bliss. 
Thus was Sir Arthur depraved and evil said of, 
and many there were that King Arthur had made 
up of nought, and had given lands to, who might 
not then say of him a good word. 

Lo all ye Englishmen, see ye not what a mis- 



RUINS OF ST. JOSEPH’S CHAPEL, GLASTONBURY ABBEY. 

(From a photograph.) 






Of Sir Mordred’s Treason 


3°l 


chief here was, for Arthur was the most king 
and knight of the world, and most loved the fel- 
lowship of noble knights, and by him they were 
all upholden. Now might not these Englishmen 
hold us content with him. Lo, thus was the old 
custom and usage of this land, and men say, that 
we of this land have not yet lost nor forgotten 
that custom and usage. Alas, this is a great 
fault of all Englishmen, for there may no thing 
please us. And so fared the people at that 
time ; they were better pleased with Sir Mordred 
than they were with King Arthur, and much 
people drew unto Sir Mordred, and said they 
would abide with him for better and for worse. 

So Sir Mordred drew with a great host to 
Dover, for there he heard say that Sir Arthur 
would arrive, and so he thought to beat his own 
uncle from his lands. And the most part of all 
England held with Sir Mordred, the people were 
so new-fangle. 

As Sir Mordred was at Dover with his host, 
there came King Arthur with a great navy of 
ships, galleys, and carracks. And there was Sir 
Mordred ready awaiting upon his landage, to 
keep his own uncle from landing in the country 
that he was king over. Then there was launch- 
ing of great boats and small, full of noble men 


302 Stories of King Arthur 

of arms, and there was much slaughter of gentle 
knights, and many a bold baron was laid full low 
on both sides. But King Arthur was so coura- 
geous that there might no manner of knights pre- 
vent him from landing, and his knights fiercely 
followed him. 

So they landed in spite of Sir Mordred and all 
his power, and they put him aback, so that he 
fled and all his people. When this battle was 
done, King Arthur let bury his dead, and then 
was the noble knight Sir Gawaine found in a 
great boat lying more than half dead. When 
Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine was laid so 
low, he went unto him and made sorrow out of 
measure, for this sister’s son was the man in the 
world that he most loved. Sir Gawaine felt that 
he must die, for he was smitten upon the old 
wound that Sir Launcelot had given him afore 
the city of Benwick. He now knew that he 
was the cause of this unhappy war, for had Sir 
Launcelot remained with the King, it would 
never have been, and now King Arthur would 
sore miss his brave knights of the Round Table. 

Then he prayed his uncle that he might have 
paper, pen, and ink, and when they were brought, 
he with his own hand wrote thus, as the French 
book maketh mention : “ Unto Sir Launcelot, 


Of Sir Mordred’s Treason 


303 

flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of, 
or saw by my days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot’s 
son of Orkney, sister’s son unto the noble King 
Arthur, send thee greeting, and let thee have 
knowledge, that this tenth day of May, through 
the same wound that thou gavest me I am come 
to my death. And I will that all the world wit 
that I, Sir Gawaine, knight of the Table Round, 
sought my death ; it came not through thy de- 
serving, but it was mine own seeking. Where- 
fore I beseech thee, Sir Launcelot, to return 
again unto this realm, and see my tomb, and 
pray some prayer, more or less, for my soul. 
For all the love that ever was betwixt us, make 
no tarrying, but come over the sea in all haste, 
that thou mayest with thy noble knights rescue 
that noble king that made thee knight, that is my 
lord Arthur, for he is full straitly bestead with a 
false traitor, my half-brother, Sir Mordred. We 
all landed upon him and his host at Dover, and 
there put him to flight, and there it misfortuned 
me to be stricken in the same wound the which 
I had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot. Of a nobler 
man might I not be slain. This letter was writ- 
ten but two hours and an half afore my death, with 
mine own hand, and so subscribed with part of 
my heart’s blood.” 


304 Stories of King Arthur 

Then Sir Gawaine wept, and King Arthur 
wept, and then they swooned both. When they 
awaked both, the King made Sir Gawaine to re- 
ceive the sacrament, and then Sir Gawaine prayed 
the King to send for Sir Launcelot, and to 
cherish him above all other knights. And so at 
the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine yielded up the 
spirit, and the King let inter him in a chapel 
within Dover Castle. 

Then was it told King Arthur that Sir Mor- 
dred had pitched a new field upon Barham Down. 
Upon the morn the King rode thither to him, 
and there was a great battle betwixt them, and 
much people were slain on both parties. But at 
the last Sir Arthur’s party stood best, and Sir Mor- 
dred and his party fled to Canterbury. Upon 
this much people drew unto King Arthur, and 
he went with his host down by the seaside, west- 
ward towards Salisbury, and there was a day 
assigned between him and Sir Mordred when 
they should meet in battle upon a down beside 
Salisbury, not far from the sea. 

In the night before the battle King Arthur 
dreamed a wonderful dream, and it seemed to 
him verily that there came Sir Gawaine unto 
him, and said : “ God giveth me leave to come 
hither for to warn you that, if ye fight to -morn 


Of Sir Mordred’s Treason 305 

widi Sir Mordred, as ye both have assigned, 
doubt ye not ye must be slain, and the most part 
of your people on both parties. For the great 
grace and goodness that Almighty Jesu hath unto 
you, and for pity of you and many other good 
men that there shall be slain, God hath sent me 
to you, of his special grace, to give you warning, 
that in no wise ye do battle to-morn, but that ye 
take a treaty for a month ; and proffer ye 
largely, so as to-morn to be put in delay, for within 
a month shall come Sir Launcelot, with all his 
noble knights, and rescue you honorably, and 
slay Sir Mordred and all that ever will hold with 
him.” 

Then Sir Gawaine vanished, and anon the 
King commanded Sir Lucan and his brother, Sir 
Bedivere, with two bishops with them, and 
charged them to take a treaty for a month with 
Sir Mordred in any wise they might. So then 
they departed, and came to Sir Mordred, where 
he had a grim host of an hundred thousand men. 
There they entreated Sir Mordred long time, and 
at the last he was agreed to have Cornwall and 
Kent by King Arthur’s days, and after the days 
of King Arthur all England. 


CHAPTER XL 


OF ARTHUR’S LAST GREAT BATTLE IN 
THE WEST 

S IR LUCAN and Sir Bedivere were agreed 
with Sir Mordred that King Arthur and he 
should meet betwixt both their hosts, for to 
conclude the treaty they had made, and every 
each of them should bring fourteen persons. 
And they came with this word unto King 
Arthur. Then said he, “ I am glad that this is 
done.” 

So Arthur made ready to go into the field, and 
when he would depart, he warned all his hosts 
that if they saw any sword drawn, they should 
come on fiercely, and slay that traitor Sir Mordred, 
for he in no wise trusted him. In like manner 
Sir Mordred warned his host : 41 If ye see any 
sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and 
so slay all that ever before you stand, for in no 
wise will I trust for this treaty. I know well 
mine uncle will be avenged upon me.” 

So they met as their appointment was, and they 
were agreed and accorded thoroughly ; and wine 
306 


Arthur’s Last Great Battle 307 

was fetched, and they drank. Right so came an 
adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a 
knight on the foot. When the knight felt him- 
self stung, he looked down and saw the adder ; 
then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and 
thought of none other harm. But when the 
hosts on both parties saw the sword drawn, then 
they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted 
grimly. And so both hosts dressed them to- 
gether. 

King Arthur took his horse, and said, “ Alas 
this unhappy day,” and so rode to his party; 
and Sir Mordred did likewise. And never was 
there seen a dolefuller battle in any Christian 
land, for there was but rushing and riding, foin- 
ing and striking, and many a grim word was 
there spoken either to other, and there was given 
many a deadly stroke. Thus they fought all the 
long day, and never stinted, till the noble knights 
were laid to the cold ground. And ever they 
fought still, till it was near night, and by that time 
were there an hundred thousand laid dead upon 
the down. 

Then the King looked about him, and was 
ware, that of all his host and of all his good 
knights were left no more alive but two knights, 
that was Sir Lucan the butler, and his brother 


308 Stories of King Arthur 

Sir Bedivere, and even they were full sore 
wounded. 

“ Jesu, mercy,” said the King, “ where are all 
my noble knights become? Alas that ever I 
should see this doleful day. Now I am come to 
mine end. But would to God that I wist where 
is that traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all 
this mischief.” 

Then was King Arthur ware where Sir 
Mordred leaned upon his sword among a great 
heap of dead men. “ Now give me my spear,” 
said Arthur unto Sir Lucan, “ for yonder I have 
espied the traitor that all this woe hath wrought.” 

“ Sir, let him be,” said Sir Lucan. “ If ye pass 
this evil day, ye shall be right well revenged upon 
him. My lord, remember ye of your night’s 
dream, and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told 
you last night. God of his great goodness hath 
preserved you hitherto. Therefore, for God’s 
sake, my lord, leave off with this. For blessed 
be God, ye have won the field, for here we be 
three alive, and with Sir Mordred is none. If ye 
leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is 
past.” 

“ Tide me death, betide me life,” saith the King, 
“ now I see him yonder alone, he shall never 
escape mine hands, for at a better avail shall I 


i 


Arthur’s Last Great Battle 309 

never have him.” Then he gat his spear in both 
his hands, and ran towards Sir Mordred, crying, 
“ Traitor, now is thy death day come.” 

When Sir Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran 
unto him with his sword drawn in his hand, and 
then King Arthur smote him under the shield 
with a foin of his spear throughout the body. 
When Sir Mordred felt that he had his death’s 
wound, he thrust himself, with the might that 
he had, up to the bur of King Arthur’s spear. 
And right so he smote his uncle Arthur 
with his sword holden in both his hands, on the 
side of the head so that the sword pierced the 
helmet and the brain-pan, and therewithal Sir 
Mordred fell stark dead to the earth. 

And the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the 
earth, and there he swooned ofttimes. And Sir 
Lucan and Sir Bedivere ofttimes heaved him up, 
and so weakly they led him betwixt them both 
to a little chapel not far from the seaside. 


CHAPTER XLI 


OF THE PASSING OF KING ARTHUR 

W HEN the King was laid in the chapel 
he thought himself well eased. Then 
heard they people cry in the field, and 
Sir Lucan went out to wit what the noise betok- 
ened. As he went he saw and heard in the 
moonlight how the plunderers and robbers were 
come into the battlefield to pillage and rob many 
a full noble knight of rings and jewels ; and who 
that were not dead all out, there they slew them 
for their harness and their riches. 

When Sir Lucan understood this work, he came 
to the King as soon as he might, and told him all 
what he had heard and seen. “ Therefore by 
my advice,” said Sir Lucan, “ it is best that we 
bring you to some town.” 

“ I would it were so,” said the King, “ but I 
may not stand, my head works so. Ah, Sir 
Launcelot, this day have I sore missed thee. 
Alas, that ever I was against thee, for now have 
I my death, whereof Sir Gawaine me warned in 
my dream.” 


310 


Of the Passing of King Arthur 311 

Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere took up the 
King, and in the lifting the King swooned, and 
Sir Lucan, that was grievously wounded in many 
places, also fell in a swoon with the lift, and there- 
with the noble knight died. When King Arthur 
came to himself again, he beheld Sir Lucan dead 
and Sir Bedivere weeping for his brother, and he 
said : “ This is unto me a full heavy sight to see 
this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would 
have holpen me that had more need of help than 
I. Yet, Sir Bedivere, weeping and mourning will 
not avail me ; for wit thou well, if I might live 
myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me 
evermore. But my time hieth fast. Therefore, 
Sir Bedivere, take thou Excalibur, my good 
sword, and go with it to yonder waterside, and 
when thou comest there, I charge thee throw my 
sword in that water, and come again, and tell me 
what thou there seest.” 

“ My lord,” said Bedivere, “ your command- 
ment shall be done, and I will lightly bring you 
word again.” 

So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he 
beheld that noble sword, whose pommel and haft 
were all of precious stones, and then he said to 
himself, “ If I throw this rich sword in the water, 
thereof shall never come good, but harm and loss.” 


312 Stories of King Arthur 

Then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, 
and as soon as he might he came again unto the 
King, and said he had been at the water, and had 
thrown the sword into the water. 

“ What sawest thou there ? ” said the King. 

“ Sir,” he said, “ I saw nothing but waves and 
winds.” 

“ That is untruly said of thee,” said the King; 
“ therefore go thou lightly again, and do my 
command as thou art to me lief and dear ; spare 
not, but throw it.” 

Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the 
sword in his hand ; and then him thought it sin 
and shame to throw away that noble sword. 
And so again he hid the sword, and returned, 
and told to the King that he had been at the 
water, and done his commandment. 

“ What sawest thou there ? ” said the King. 

“ Sir,” he said, “ I saw nothing but the waters 
lap and the waves toss.” 

“ Ah, traitor, untrue,” said King Arthur, “ now 
hast thou betrayed me twice. Who would have 
thought that thou that hast been to me so lief 
and dear, and that art named a noble knight, 
wouldest betray me for the riches of the sword. 
But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying 
putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I 


Of the Passing of King Arthur 313 

have taken cold. And unless thou do now as I 
bid thee, if ever I may see thee, I shall slay thee 
with mine own hands, for thou wouldest for my 
rich sword see me dead.” 

Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the 
sword, and lightly took it up, and went to the 
waterside. There he bound the girdle about 
the hilts, and then he threw the sword as far into 
the water as he might. And there came an arm 
and an hand above the water, and met it, and 
caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished, 
and then vanished away the hand with the sword 
in the water. 

So Sir Bedivere came again to the King, and 
told him what he saw. “ Alas,” said the King, 
“ help me hence, for I fear me I have tarried over 
long.” 

Then Sir Bedivere took the King upon his 
back, and so went with him to that waterside. 
And when they were at the waterside, even fast 
by the bank hove a little barge, with many fair 
ladies in it, and among them all was a queen, and 
all they had black hoods, and all they wept and 
shrieked when they saw King Arthur. 

“ Now put me into the barge,” said the King ; 
and so he did softly. And there received him 
three queens with great mourning, and so they 


314 Stories of King Arthur 

set him down, and in one of their laps King 
Arthur laid his head, and then that queen said, 
“ Ah, dear brother, why have ye tarried so long 
from me ? Alas, this wound on your head hath 
caught over much cold.” 

And so then they rowed from the land, and 
Sir Bedivere beheld all these ladies go from him. 
Then he cried, “ Ah, my lord Arthur, what shall 
become of me now ye go from me, and leave me 
here alone among mine enemies ! ” 

“ Comfort thyself,” said the King, “ and do as 
well as thou mayest, for in me is no trust for to 
trust in. For I will into the vale of Avilion, to 
heal me of my grievous wound. And if thou 
hear never more of me, pray for my soul.” 

Ever the queens and the ladies wept and 
shrieked, that it was pity to hear. And as soon 
as Sir Bedivere had lost the sight of the barge, he 
wept and wailed, and so took the forest, and he 
went all that night ; and in the morning he was 
ware betwixt two holts hoar of a chapel and an 
hermitage, and he was glad. 

When he came into the chapel he saw a her- 
mit praying by a tomb new graven. The hermit 
was the Bishop of Canterbury that Sir Mordred 
had banished, and Sir Bedivere asked him what 
man was there interred. 



KING ARTHUR'S STATUE AT INNSBRUCK. 
(From a photograph.) 




Of the Passing of King Arthur 315 

“ Fair son,” said the hermit, “ I wot not verily, 
but this night, at midnight, here came a number 
of ladies, and brought hither a dead corpse, and 
prayed me to bury him ; and here they offered 
an hundred tapers, and gave me an hundred 
besants.” 

Then Sir Bedivere knew that King Arthur lay 
buried in that chapel, and he prayed the hermit 
that he might abide with him still there. So there 
abode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, that was to- 
fore Bishop of Canterbury, and there Sir Bedi- 
vere put on poor clothes, and served the hermit 
full lowly in fasting and in prayers. 

Thus of Arthur I find never more written in 
books that be authorized, nor more of the cer- 
tainty of his death heard I tell, but that he was 
thus led away in a ship wherein were three queens. 
The hermit that some time was Bishop of Canter- 
bury bare witness that ladies brought a knight to 
his burial in the chapel, but the hermit knew not 
in certain that it was verily the body of King 
Arthur; — for this tale Sir Bedivere, knight of 
the Round Table, made to be written. 

Some men still say in many parts of England 
that King Arthur is not dead, but tarried by the 
will of our Lord Jesu in another place. And 
men say that he shall come again, and shall win 


316 Stories of King Arthur 

the holy cross. I will not say it shall be so, but 
rather I will say, here in this world he changed 
his life. But many men say that there is written 
upon his tomb these words : “ Hie jacet Arthurus 
Rex quondam Rex que futurus : " “ Here lies 

Arthur , King that was and King that shall be!' 


CHAPTER XLII 


OF THE END OF THIS BOOK 

W HEN Queen Guenever understood 
that King Arthur was slain, and all 
the noble knights, Sir Mordred and 
all the remnant, then she stole away, and five 
ladies with her, and so she went to Almesbury, 
and there she let make herself a nun, and lived in 
fasting, prayers, and alms-deeds, that all manner 
of people marveled how virtuously she was 
changed. And there she was abbess and ruler, 
as reason would. 

When Sir Launcelot of the Lake heard in his 
country that Sir Mordred was crowned king, and 
made war against his uncle, then he made all 
haste with ships and galleys to go into England. 
So he passed over the sea till he came to Dover. 
There the people told him how that King Arthur 
was slain, and Sir Mordred, and an hundred thou- 
sand died on a day, and how Sir Mordred gave 
King Arthur there the first battle at his landing, 
and how there was good Sir Gawaine slain. And 
then certain people of the town brought him into 
3*7 


318 Stories of King Arthur 

the castle of Dover, and showed him the tomb. 
And he made a dole for Sir Gawaine, and all the 
priests and clerks that might be gotten in the 
country were there and sang mass of requiem. 

Two nights Sir Launcelot lay on Sir Gawaine’s 
tomb in prayers and in weeping, and then on the 
third day he called his kings, dukes, earls, barons, 
and knights, and said thus : “ My fair lords, I 

thank you all of your coming into this country 
with me ; but we come too late, and that shall re- 
pent me while I live, but against death may no 
man rebel. Since it is so, I will myself ride and 
seek my lady, Queen Guenever, for, as I hear 
say, she hath great pain and much disease. 
Therefore ye all abide me here fifteen days, and 
then, if I come not again, take your ships and 
your fellowship, and depart into your country.” 

So Sir Launcelot rode forth alone on his jour- 
ney into the west country. There he sought 
seven or eight days, and at the last came to the 
nunnery where was Queen Guenever. Once only 
he had speech with her, and then took his horse 
and rode away to forsake the world, as she had 
done. 

He rode all that day and all that night in a 
forest, and at the last he was ware of an hermit- 
age and a chapel betwixt two cliffs. Thither he 



































